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30. Diverting an offering intended for the Sangha

Pariṇata

A monk who diverts to himself an offering intended for the Order must relinquish the item and confess the offense.

Translated by Bhikkhu Brahmali · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1Theravāda VinayaTheravāda Collection on Monastic Law
  • 0.2MahāvibhaṅgaThe Great Analysis
  • 0.3NissaggiyakaṇḍaThe chapter on relinquishment
  • 0.4PattavaggaThe subchapter on almsbowls

0.530. PariṇatasikkhāpadaDiverting an offering intended for the Sangha

1.0Origin story

1.1PTS 3.265Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery,1.2Tena kho pana samayena sāvatthiyaṁ aññatarassa pūgassa saṅghassa sacīvarabhattaṁ paṭiyattaṁ hoti—an association had prepared a meal together with robe-cloth for the Sangha,1.3“bhojetvā cīvarena acchādessāmā”ti.intending to offer the robe-cloth after giving the meal.

1.4Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū yena so pūgo tenupasaṅkamiṁsu;But the monks from the group of six went to that association1.5upasaṅkamitvā taṁ pūgaṁ etadavocuṁ—and said,1.6“dethāvuso, amhākaṁ imāni cīvarānī”ti.“Please give this robe-cloth to us.”

1.7“Na mayaṁ, bhante, dassāma.“Venerables, we can’t do that.1.8Amhākaṁ saṅghassa anuvassaṁ sacīvarabhikkhā paññattā”ti.We’ve prepared our annual alms-offering together with robe-cloth for the Sangha.”

1.9“Bahū, āvuso, saṅghassa dāyakā, bahū saṅghassa bhattā.“The Sangha has many donors and supporters.1.10Mayaṁ tumhe nissāya tumhe sampassantā idha viharāma.But since we’re staying here, we look to you for support.1.11Tumhe ce amhākaṁ na dassatha, atha ko carahi amhākaṁ dassati?If you don’t give to us, who will?1.12Dethāvuso, amhākaṁ imāni cīvarānī”ti.So give us the robe-cloth.”1.13Atha kho so pūgo chabbaggiyehi bhikkhūhi nippīḷiyamāno yathāpaṭiyattaṁ cīvaraṁ chabbaggiyānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ datvā saṅghaṁ bhattena parivisi.Being pressured by the monks from the group of six, that association gave the prepared robe-cloth to them and served the food to the Sangha.

1.14Ye te bhikkhū jānanti saṅghassa sacīvarabhattaṁ paṭiyattaṁ, na ca jānanti chabbaggiyānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ dinnanti, te evamāhaṁsu—The monks who knew that a meal together with robe-cloth had been prepared for the Sangha, but who did not know that the robe-cloth had been given to the monks from the group of six, said,1.15“oṇojethāvuso, saṅghassa cīvaran”ti.“Please dedicate the robe-cloth.”

1.16“Natthi, bhante.“There isn’t any.1.17Yathāpaṭiyattaṁ cīvaraṁ ayyā chabbaggiyā attano pariṇāmesun”ti.The monks from the group of six have diverted to themselves the robe-cloth we had prepared.”

1.18Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—The monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks,1.19“kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhū jānaṁ saṅghikaṁ lābhaṁ pariṇataṁ attano pariṇāmessantī”ti.“How could the monks from the group of six divert to themselves things they knew were intended for the Sangha?”

1.20Atha kho te bhikkhū chabbaggiye bhikkhū anekapariyāyena vigarahitvā bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…After rebuking those monks in many ways, they told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks:1.21“saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, jānaṁ saṅghikaṁ lābhaṁ pariṇataṁ attano pariṇāmethā”ti?“Is it true, monks, that you did this?”

1.22“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.“It’s true, sir.”

1.23Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe…The Buddha rebuked them …1.24kathañhi nāma tumhe, moghapurisā, jānaṁ saṅghikaṁ lābhaṁ pariṇataṁ attano pariṇāmessatha.“Foolish men, how could you do this?1.25Netaṁ, moghapurisā, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe…This will affect people’s confidence …” …1.26evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—“And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

1.27.0Final ruling

1.27.1“Yo pana bhikkhu jānaṁ saṅghikaṁ lābhaṁ pariṇataṁ attano pariṇāmeyya, nissaggiyaṁ pācittiyan”ti.‘If a monk diverts to himself material support that he knows was intended for the Sangha, he commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession.’”

2.0Definitions

2.1Yo panātiA:
2.2yo yādiso …pe…whoever …
2.3bhikkhūtiMonk:
2.4…pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippeto bhikkhūti.… The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case.
2.5Jānāti nāmaHe knows:
2.6sāmaṁ vā jānāti aññe vā tassa ārocenti so vā āroceti.he knows by himself or others have told him or the donor has told him.1
2.7PTS 3.266Saṅghikaṁ nāmaFor the Sangha:
2.8saṅghassa dinnaṁ hoti pariccattaṁ.given to the Sangha, given up to the Sangha.
2.9Lābho nāmaMaterial support:
2.10cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārā. Antamaso cuṇṇapiṇḍopi, dantakaṭṭhampi, dasikasuttampi.robe-cloth, almsfood, a dwelling, and medicinal supplies; even a bit of bath powder, a tooth cleaner, or a piece of string.
2.11Pariṇataṁ nāmaIntended:
2.12dassāma karissāmāti vācā bhinnā hoti.they have said, “We’ll give,” “We’ll prepare.”2.13Attano pariṇāmeti, payoge dukkaṭaṁ.If he diverts it to himself, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct.2.14Paṭilābhena nissaggiyaṁ hoti.When he gets it, it becomes subject to relinquishment.

2.15Nissajjitabbaṁ saṅghassa vā gaṇassa vā puggalassa vā.It should be relinquished to a sangha, a group, or an individual.2.16Evañca pana, bhikkhave, nissajjitabbaṁ.“And, monks, it should be relinquished like this. …”2.17…pe…(To be expanded as in <a href='https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-bu-vb-np1#3.2.5'>Bu NP 1:3.2.5</a>–3.2.29, with appropriate substitutions.)

2.18“idaṁ me, bhante, jānaṁ saṅghikaṁ lābhaṁ pariṇataṁ attano pariṇāmitaṁ nissaggiyaṁ.“Venerables, this thing, which I diverted to myself knowing that it was intended for the Sangha, is to be relinquished.2.19Imāhaṁ saṅghassa nissajjāmī”ti …pe…I relinquish it to the Sangha.” …2.20dadeyyāti …pe…“the Sangha should give …”2.21dadeyyunti …pe…“you should give …”2.22āyasmato dammīti.“I give this back to you.”

2.23.0Permutations

2.23.1Pariṇate pariṇatasaññī attano pariṇāmeti, nissaggiyaṁ pācittiyaṁ.If it was intended for the Sangha and he perceives it as such, and he diverts it to himself, he commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession.2.24Pariṇate vematiko attano pariṇāmeti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.If it was intended for the Sangha, but he is unsure of it, and he diverts it to himself, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.2.25Pariṇate apariṇatasaññī attano pariṇāmeti, anāpatti.If it was intended for the Sangha, but he does not perceive it as such, and he diverts it to himself, there is no offense.

2.26Saṅghassa pariṇataṁ aññasaṅghassa vā cetiyassa vā pariṇāmeti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.If it was intended for one Sangha and he diverts it to another Sangha or to a shrine, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.2.27Cetiyassa pariṇataṁ aññacetiyassa vā saṅghassa vā puggalassa vā pariṇāmeti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.If it was intended for one shrine and he diverts it to another shrine or to a sangha or to an individual, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.2.28Puggalassa pariṇataṁ aññapuggalassa vā saṅghassa vā cetiyassa vā pariṇāmeti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.If it was intended for an individual and he diverts it to another individual or to a sangha or to a shrine, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

2.29Apariṇate pariṇatasaññī, āpatti dukkaṭassa.If it was not intended for the Sangha, but he perceives it as such, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.2.30Apariṇate vematiko, āpatti dukkaṭassa.If it was not intended for the Sangha, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.2.31Apariṇate apariṇatasaññī, anāpatti.If it was not intended for the Sangha and he does not perceive it as such, there is no offense.

2.32.0Non-offenses

2.32.1Anāpatti—There is no offense:2.33kattha demāti pucchiyamāno yattha tumhākaṁ deyyadhammo paribhogaṁ vā labheyya paṭisaṅkhāraṁ vā labheyya ciraṭṭhitiko vā assa yattha vā pana tumhākaṁ cittaṁ pasīdati tattha dethāti bhaṇati,if being asked, “Where may we give?” he says, “Give where your gift will be useful;” “Give where it goes toward repairs;” “Give where it will last for a long time;” “Give where you feel inspired;”2.34ummattakassa,if he is insane;2.35ādikammikassāti.if he is the first offender.

2.36Pariṇatasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ dasamaṁ.The training rule on diverting an offering intended for the Sangha, the tenth, is finished.

2.37Pattavaggo tatiyo.The third subchapter on almsbowls is finished.

2.38TassuddānaṁThis is the summary:

2.39Dve ca pattāni bhesajjaṁ,“Two on bowls, and tonics,2.40vassikā dānapañcamaṁ;Rainy season, the fifth on a gift;2.41Sāmaṁ vāyāpanacceko,Oneself, having woven, haste,2.42sāsaṅkaṁ saṅghikena cāti.Risky, and with the Sangha.”

2.43“Uddiṭṭhā kho, āyasmanto, tiṁsa nissaggiyā pācittiyā dhammā.“Venerables, the thirty rules on relinquishment and confession have been recited.2.44Tatthāyasmante pucchāmi—In regard to this I ask you,2.45‘kaccittha parisuddhā’?‘Are you pure in this?’2.46Dutiyampi pucchāmi—A second time I ask,2.47‘kaccittha parisuddhā’?‘Are you pure in this?’2.48Tatiyampi pucchāmi—A third time I ask,2.49‘kaccittha parisuddhā’?‘Are you pure in this?’2.50Parisuddhetthāyasmanto, tasmā tuṇhī,You are pure in this and therefore silent.2.51evametaṁ dhārayāmī”ti.I will remember it thus.”

2.52Nissaggiyakaṇḍaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.The chapter on offenses entailing relinquishment is finished.

2.53Pārājikapāḷi niṭṭhitā.The canonical text beginning with the offenses entailing expulsion is finished.

Translator’s notes

  1. The meaning of the last of these three ways of knowing, so vā āroceti, is not clear. CPD suggests: “sa (sā) āroceti (?). Perhaps this last form is conformable to sa. ārocayate med. caus. in the meaning: he or she makes inquiries (of others).” However, this does not fit with the parallel usage at Bu Pc 29:3.1.6 where the text says that she tells (sā vā āroceti) him, presumably referring to the nun telling the monk. In this case āroceti cannot refer to the monk making inquiries. The commentaries are silent, and I therefore assume that a straightforward meaning is the most likely one. I would suggest, then, that it simply refers to the donor telling the monk directly.

    ↩ pli-tv-bu-vb-np30:2.6