Xct Mu Bi Pm Sk 6Na kulmāsapiṇḍakaṁ
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na kulmāsapiṇḍakaṁ
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Explanation of the Na Kulmāsapiṇḍakaṁ Sutta
Background
The Na Kulmāsapiṇḍakaṁ Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition and is found among the detailed regulations concerning discipline and customs of the Sangha. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Buddha Śākyamuni entered nirvana, under the leadership of great arhat elders at the councils for collecting the Dharma. These texts record specific situations that occurred in the early religious community, from which the Buddha gave wise guidance to maintain order, harmony, and diligence in the Sangha.
The content of this text concerns regulations about eating and conduct in the daily life of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. These are not doctrines about the profound true Dharma, but practical applications of the spirit of the path in concrete practice life.
Main Content
The term “Na kulmāsapiṇḍakaṁ” (न कुलमासपिण्डकम्) means “not performing the act of gathering, storing, or arranging food in a separate way.” This text regulates that bhikkhus should not set aside certain portions of food separately, nor choose specific kinds of food to store for themselves under any pretext.
This regulation arises from a basic principle in Buddhist monastic life: a mind free from attachment (anattabuddhi) and the pāramitā of giving (dāna pāramitā). If bhikkhus begin to have personal preferences regarding food, build up individual choices, or store food according to their own wishes, this will nourish the mind’s clinging to material things (upādāna), directly contradicting the purpose of going forth.
Moreover, this conduct can give rise to jealousy and unfairness within the Sangha, weakening the spirit of sharing and harmony (samaggi) that the Buddha emphasized as the foundation of the community of practice.
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