四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.83

3.83

Precept 41: Giving food to an outsider. The intention of the promulgation is: Because of three faults, giving food was prohibited. First, followers of other teachings are anxious by disposition and constantly harbour fear; it is difficult to be genuinely close to them; even though one bestows a gift, they do not feel indebted, but on the contrary give rise to ridicule and slander. Second, with false views departing from the true principle, they are not a true field of merit; handing over a donor's food to an outsider harms the donor so that they do not obtain a superior field, but reap the fortune of an adverse retribution. Third, if one personally takes food and hands it to an outsider, it may give rise to confusion and delusion, making them think that outsiders are superior and bhikṣus are inferior. Because of these faults, giving food with one's own hand is not permitted. The specific conditions are six: 1. it is an ordained outsider—lay outsiders are excluded, as giving to laypeople is a lighter offense; 2. knowing they are an ordained outsider—not knowing makes the offense light; 3. not a relative—if given to one's outsider parents, it is permitted due to their heavy kindness; 4. it is food—giving clothing is rare, so it is a minor offense; 5. giving with one's own hand—putting it on the ground or sending someone else to give it is not an offense; 6. an offense is committed as soon as their hand receives it. Below, the precept text itself is clarified. This precept was instituted because Ānanda divided leftover food and gave it to a beggar, and the outsiders took the food and conversely slandered him; thus the Buddha instituted this precept.