San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Sk 63Receiving Even Level

The Samatittika Sutta: Receiving Equally

Background

The Samatittika Sutta (Receiving Equally) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, recording regulations on the way people and the Sangha receive and use property and daily requisites. This is part of the Vinaya rules that guide the monastic community to practice according to principles of moderation, fairness, and non-greed.

In the context of the early community, the Buddha and his disciples lived by going on almsround and receiving what was offered. However, as the Sangha community grew, clear rules were needed to avoid inequality, craving, and disturbance in practice. The Samatittika Sutta is one such rule, intended to protect the spirit of equality and the healthy development of the Sangha.

Main Content

According to the Vinaya tradition, "samatittika" (samatā = equality, titthati = receiving) establishes the principle of fairness in dividing the common property of the Sangha. When there are shared offerings such as food, cloth, or dwelling requisites, monastics must receive them in equal measure, without distinction based on personal preference, status, or seniority in the monastic life.

This sutta states clearly that if there is inequality in distribution, jealousy and resentment will arise and the harmony of the Sangha body will be weakened. Therefore, monastics should actively practice "samatittika" as part of Vinaya ethics. Receiving equally is not only an administrative custom, but an expression of loving-kindness (mettā) and fairness within the community.

This rule also reflects a deep value of Theravāda Buddhism: there is no absolute rank in practice. Whether one is a teacher or a student, whether one has attained high accomplishments or has newly gone forth, when receiving common property, everyone should be treated fairly. This educates monastics to abandon personal desire and the idea "I deserve more."