Xct Mu Bu Vb Ss 4Encouraging Someone to Serve One’s Desires
Pāli / Sanskrit:Attakāmpāricariya
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Scripture on Encouraging Service to One’s Own Desires (Attakāmpāricariya)
Context
This scripture is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, one of the most important sections concerning discipline for female monastics in the Theravāda tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not only a collection of rules of conduct, but also records specific situations reflecting the practical monastic life of the Sangha during the Buddha’s time.
The context of this scripture concerns a prominent issue in practice: when a person is still governed by personal desires (kāma), can they encourage others to practice the Dharma? This is a question about the authenticity of guidance and the unity between speech and action in monastic life.
Main Content
According to the spirit of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this scripture examines the case of a nun who, still governed by particular personal desires (attakāma, personal desires), tries to encourage other nuns to serve similar desires. This is considered a violation of the basic ethical principle of the Sangha.
The issue does not lie in whether that person can speak encouraging words, but in the nature of the "encouragement" itself. When someone is still caught in their own desires yet tries to encourage others to participate in those desires, in reality they are:
First, creating inconsistency between speech and action, one of the most contrary things in the Buddha-Dharma.
Second, spreading mental defilements (kilesa) rather than guiding others out of suffering.
Third, undermining the spirit of the Sangha and the trust of practitioners.
What the Vinaya Piṭaka emphasizes is that complete and effective instruction must arise from skillfulness and freedom from the very desires that the guide has overcome.
Practical Meaning
This scripture teaches that, in Buddhist practice, the authenticity of the person who guides is an essential factor.
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