Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c38.s6: Lay-devotees and Monks
Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c38.s6
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Lay-devotees and Monks
v2.c38.s6.1
Apart from the moral precepts to be observed by the upāsakas and upāsikās, they were enjoined to supply the members of the Saṅgha with robe, food, bed and medicinal requisites.² As a result of such gifts they were given the hope that in the next world they would have long life, good appearance, happiness and strength.³ In making these gifts, however, they must not have any selfish end in view (sāpekha).⁴ Some of the upāsakas and upāsikās visited the several ārāmas to find out if any one was sick and needed medicines which they procured to the best of their abilities.⁵ The monks on the other hand were warned that with complete self-restraint they should approach householders for food and robe, or for any other purpose. They were not to associate themselves with the joys and griefs of householders,¹ for there were instances of monks having got entangled with women² by such association. They were also advised not to accept alms from those householders who had at any time attempted to bring about evil plight to the monks, or injure them in any way, or oust them from their residence (*āvāsa*), or have abused them or tried to cause dissension between one monk and another, or have spoken ill of Buddha, Dhamma and Saṅgha.³ The monks were further instructed to avoid those householders who would not welcome them with gentle words, or show respects to them, or offer them seats kindly, or conceal their possessions, give little and bad things though they have ample and good things, offer gifts irreverentially, not approach monks for listening to discourses, and dislike instructions.⁴ At the end of the rainy season the Saṅgha held a ceremony called Pavāraṇā and Kaṭhina at every *āvāsa*. On these occassions, the upāsakas were advised to offer robes and were told that gifts on such occasions carried special merits.
v2.c38.s6.2
² Aṅguttara, ii, p. 66.
v2.c38.s6.3
³ Ibid., ii, p. 64.
v2.c38.s6.4
⁴ Ibid., ii, p. 59.
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⁵ Vinaya, i, p. 216.
v2.c38.s6.6
¹ *Saṃyutta*, iii, p. 11.
v2.c38.s6.7
² *Aṅguttara*, iii, p. 259; iv, p. 54.
v2.c38.s6.8
³ *Ibid.*, iv, p. 344.
v2.c38.s6.9
⁴ *Ibid.*, v, p. 387.
Linked texts (9)
- Mahāvagga — Pāli
- Hāliddikānisutta — Pāli
- Pattakammasutta — Pāli
- Yasasutta — Pāli
- Paṭhamasaṃvāsasutta — Pāli
- Methunasutta — Pāli
- ~ — Pāli
- Sudattasutta — Pāli
- Paṭhamakulūpakasutta — Pāli