分別功德論 4.30

4.30

The reason why the bhikṣu Kimbila is mentioned is that he constantly engaged in begging at seven houses, never exceeding seven. The reason for this is that he made a vow limiting it to seven. When begging for food, desiring to bring merit and deliverance to sentient beings, he single-mindedly contemplated the Way without greedy thoughts; whether he received good or bad [food], he did not increase or decrease [his contentment], begging in consecutive order without selecting between poor and rich. When receiving food from one or two houses, if there were further donors, if it was sufficient he stopped, and if insufficient he accepted. If he reached seven houses without obtaining food, he returned to his dwelling to contemplate and practice the Way, never thinking, 'Tomorrow I will go to such-and-such a house and not to that house,' being entirely free of discriminatory thoughts; hence he is called the 'seven-house śramaṇa'. Upon returning, he sat quietly and collected his mind in the Way. Therefore, Kimbila is called foremost in begging for food at seven houses.