Xct Mu Bi Pm Ss 5Encouraging Receiving Food From One With Lust
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kiṁ te avassuto vā anavassuto vā
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Exposition of the Discourse on Gladly Receiving Food from One with Sensual Desire
Background
This discourse is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Suttavibhaṅga section of the Bhikkhu Vinaya, and reflects a practical situation in the lives of bhikkhus during the early period of Buddhism. The background arises from handling ethical situations related to receiving food from people still bound by cravings (kilopesakā), especially sensual craving (kāmarāga).
The Vinaya Piṭaka is not only a code of discipline but also a storehouse of practical lessons in virtue (sīla) and spiritual life. In this case, the discourse considers the question: can a bhikkhu gladly receive food from someone still living in sensual desire without violating the principles of his practice?
Main Content
The discourse poses an open question: "Kiṁ te avassuto vā anavassuto vā," provisionally translated, "Are you still bound, or not?" This is a question about the spiritual state of the giver of food. The Vinaya Piṭaka makes clear that receiving food from another person is not restricted by the giver's spiritual state or conduct. What matters is the intention (cetanā) of the bhikkhu when receiving it: whether he uses food to support practice or to satisfy craving.
This principle is based on the understanding that food is a neutral condition. A person with sensual desire can still offer food with a compassionate mind, and a mindful bhikkhu can still receive that food with a rightly concentrated mind (samādhi). The interaction does not defile those who know how to protect their mind and sense faculties.
However, the Vinaya Piṭaka also gives timely warning that bhikkhus should not seek out or encourage those still immersed in sensual desire in order to have opportunities to receive food. This would be an indirect act of promoting corruption and deviation from the Dharma.
Practical Meaning
In the context of modern practice, this discourse teaches us three important lessons.
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