Xct Mu Bu Vb Pc 81Visiting Families Before a Meal
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cāritta
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Explanation of the Cāritta Sutta — Visiting Families Before a Meal
Background
The Cāritta Sutta, on conduct, is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the list of prohibitions for monastics. The setting arose from specific situations in the Sangha community during the Buddha’s time. Monastics regularly went on alms-round from house to house, coming into contact with donor families. However, rules of training needed to be clearly defined in order to protect the diligence of the monastics as well as the honor of the Sangha in the eyes of the worldly community.
This rule, number 81, concerns conduct, cāritta, the way monastics behave and act when visiting families before the time of alms-food. These are detailed instructions intended to maintain purity and accord with the humble way of life of the Dharma. The Pātimokkha discipline is not only a set of prohibitions, but also principles that help monastics practice uprightly and build the trust of the community.
Main Content
The sutta states that when monastics visit families before the meal, the midday meal or alms time, their conduct must follow specific standards. These rules include: they should not sit in private places, should not engage in unnecessary lengthy conversation, and should not accept gifts beyond the proper limit.
More specifically, monastics must maintain an attitude of respect appropriate to the status of “one gone forth.” They should not show desire or preference for wealthy families over other families. This conduct reflects a basic principle: monastics living on alms do not do so in order to seek the best meals, but in a way that lessens the burden on donor families.
The rules on cāritta are also connected with maintaining mindfulness, sati. When one acts carelessly, the mind easily falls into sensual desire, kāmacchanda, envy, or states of mind unsuitable for the path of practice.
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