San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Pc 44Giving Food to Ascetics
Pāli / Sanskrit:Acelaka
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Acelaka Discourse — Providing Food to Ascetics
Background
The Acelaka Discourse (Pāli: Acelaka, meaning "those without clothing") belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, in the Paccaya section, the rules related to the daily life of monastics. This discourse was recorded in the context of the Buddha's formulation of rules for governing the community of monks and nuns, especially matters concerning food and material necessities for monastics.
At that time, in the Sangha community of ancient India, there existed followers of different religions with different customs. Among them were people following other systems of practice, who lived according to principles different from those of Buddhism. The issue that arose was how Buddhist lay followers (upāsaka, upāsikā) should act properly when providing food to non-Buddhist persons or monastics of other schools.
Main Content
This discourse states that Buddhist laypeople may offer food to other persons (Acelaka, those who live in extreme austerity and are not Buddhist monastics) without violating basic ethical principles. However, certain conditions must be observed. The food provided must be suitable, must not come from improper sources, and must not be given with an intention toward an improper purpose.
The discourse emphasizes that providing food is a noble act (dhamma-dāna), because it arises from loving-kindness (mettā) and a spirit free from self-interest. Although Buddhist monastics are required to practice a higher discipline, followers of other religions are also worthy of respect if they live by similar ethical principles. What matters is that the donor's motivation be pure and directed toward alleviating the suffering of other beings.
The discourse also implicitly teaches that Buddhism is not a religion of narrow exclusiveness or self-enclosure. The final aim of Buddhism is liberation from suffering (nirvana), a common ideal pursued by many schools of practice.
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