Cāritta

Theravāda Vinaya

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

Mahāvibhaṅga

The Great Analysis

Pācittiyakaṇḍa

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

Acelakavagga

The subchapter on naked ascetics

46. Cārittasikkhāpada

Visiting families before a meal

Origin story

First substory

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe.

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove,

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmato upanandassa sakyaputtassa upaṭṭhākakulaṁ āyasmantaṁ upanandaṁ sakyaputtaṁ bhattena nimantesi.

a family that was supporting Venerable Upananda the Sakyan had invited him to a meal,

Aññepi bhikkhū bhattena nimantesi.

and they had invited other monks too.

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā upanando sakyaputto purebhattaṁ, kulāni payirupāsati.

But since Upananda was visiting other families before that meal,

Atha kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—

the other monks said to that family,

“dethāvuso, bhattan”ti.

“Please give the meal.”

“Āgametha, bhante, yāvāyyo upanando āgacchatī”ti.

“Please wait, sirs, until Venerable Upananda arrives.”

Dutiyampi kho te bhikkhū …pe…

A second time …

tatiyampi kho te bhikkhū te manusse etadavocuṁ—

A third time those monks said,

“dethāvuso, bhattaṁ; pure kālo atikkamatī”ti.

“Please give the meal before it is too late.”

“Yampi mayaṁ, bhante, bhattaṁ karimhā ayyassa upanandassa kāraṇā.

“But we prepared the meal because of Venerable Upananda.

Āgametha, bhante, yāvāyyo upanando āgacchatī”ti.

Please wait until he arrives.”

Atha kho āyasmā upanando sakyaputto purebhattaṁ kulāni payirupāsitvā divā āgacchati.

Then, after visiting those families, Upananda arrived late,

Bhikkhū na cittarūpaṁ bhuñjiṁsu.

and those monks did not eat as much as they had intended.

Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—

The monks of few desires complained and criticized Upananda,

“kathañhi nāma āyasmā upanando sakyaputto nimantito sabhatto samāno purebhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjissatī”ti …pe…

“How can Venerable Upananda visit families first when invited to a meal?” …

“saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, upananda, nimantito sabhatto samāno purebhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjasī”ti?

“Is it true, Upananda, that you do this?”

“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

“It’s true, sir.”

Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe…

The Buddha rebuked him …

kathañhi nāma tvaṁ, moghapurisa, nimantito sabhatto samāno purebhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjissasi.

“Foolish man, how can you do this?

Netaṁ, moghapurisa, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe…

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

“And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

First preliminary ruling

“Yo pana bhikkhu nimantito sabhatto samāno purebhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjeyya, pācittiyan”ti.

‘If a monk who has been invited to a meal visits families beforehand, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second substory

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmato upanandassa sakyaputtassa upaṭṭhākakulaṁ saṅghassatthāya khādanīyaṁ pāhesi—

Soon afterwards a family that was supporting Upananda sent fresh food to the Sangha.

“ayyassa upanandassa dassetvā saṅghassa dātabban”ti.

They instructed that the food should be shown to Upananda and then given to the Sangha.

Tena kho pana samayena āyasmā upanando sakyaputto gāmaṁ piṇḍāya paviṭṭho hoti.

But on that occasion Upananda had gone to the village for alms.

Atha kho te manussā ārāmaṁ gantvā bhikkhū pucchiṁsu—

When those people arrived at the monastery,

“kahaṁ, bhante, ayyo upanando”ti?

they asked for Upananda,

“Esāvuso, āyasmā upanando sakyaputto gāmaṁ piṇḍāya paviṭṭho”ti.

and they were told where he was.

“Idaṁ, bhante, khādanīyaṁ ayyassa upanandassa dassetvā saṅghassa dātabban”ti.

They said, “Venerables, after showing it to Venerable Upananda, this fresh food is to be given to the Sangha.”

Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ.

The monks told the Buddha,

Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

who then gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

“tena hi, bhikkhave, paṭiggahetvā nikkhipatha yāva upanando āgacchatī”ti.

“Well then, monks, receive it and put it aside until Upananda returns.”

Atha kho āyasmā upanando sakyaputto—“bhagavatā paṭikkhittaṁ purebhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjitun”ti pacchābhattaṁ kulāni payirupāsitvā divā paṭikkami, khādanīyaṁ ussāriyittha.

When he heard that the Buddha had prohibited visiting families before the meal, Upananda visited them after the meal instead. As a consequence, he returned late to the monastery, and the food had to be returned to the donors.

Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—

The monks of few desires complained and criticized Upananda,

“kathañhi nāma āyasmā upanando sakyaputto pacchābhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjissatī”ti …pe…

“How can Venerable Upananda visit families after the meal?” …

“saccaṁ kira tvaṁ, upananda, pacchābhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjasī”ti?

“Is it true, Upananda, that you do this?”

“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

“It’s true, sir.”

Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe…

The Buddha rebuked him …

kathañhi nāma tvaṁ, moghapurisa, pacchābhattaṁ kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjissasi.

“Foolish man, how can you do this?

Netaṁ, moghapurisa, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe…

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

“And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Second preliminary ruling

“Yo pana bhikkhu nimantito sabhatto samāno purebhattaṁ vā pacchābhattaṁ vā kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjeyya, pācittiyan”ti.

‘If a monk who has been invited to a meal visits families beforehand or afterwards, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Third substory

Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū cīvaradānasamaye kukkuccāyantā kulāni na payirupāsanti.

Soon afterwards it was the robe-giving season. But being afraid of wrongdoing, the monks did not visit families.

Cīvaraṁ parittaṁ uppajjati.

As a result, they only got a small amount of robe-cloth.

Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

They told the Buddha. …

anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvaradānasamaye kulāni payirupāsituṁ.

“Monks, I allow you to visit families during the robe-giving season.

Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Third preliminary ruling

“Yo pana bhikkhu nimantito sabhatto samāno purebhattaṁ vā pacchābhattaṁ vā kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjeyya, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.

‘If a monk who has been invited to a meal visits families beforehand or afterwards, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Cīvaradānasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

This is the appropriate occasion: it is the robe-giving season.’”

Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Fourth substory

Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū cīvarakammaṁ karonti, attho ca hoti sūciyāpi suttenapi satthakenapi.

Soon afterwards the monks were making robes, and they needed a needle, thread, and scissors.

Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā kulāni na payirupāsanti.

But being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not visit families.

Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

They told the Buddha. …

anujānāmi, bhikkhave, cīvarakārasamaye kulāni payirupāsituṁ.

“Monks, I allow you to visit families at a time of making robes.

Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Fourth preliminary ruling

“Yo pana bhikkhu nimantito sabhatto samāno purebhattaṁ vā pacchābhattaṁ vā kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjeyya, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.

‘If a monk who has been invited to a meal visits families beforehand or afterwards, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

These are the appropriate occasions: it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes.’”

Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Fifth substory

Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū gilānā honti, attho ca hoti bhesajjehi.

Soon afterwards there were sick monks who needed medicines.

Bhikkhū kukkuccāyantā kulāni na payirupāsanti.

But being afraid of wrongdoing, the monks did not visit families.

Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

They told the Buddha. …

anujānāmi, bhikkhave, santaṁ bhikkhuṁ āpucchā kulāni payirupāsituṁ.

“Monks, I allow you to visit families after informing an available monk.

Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling

“Yo pana bhikkhu nimantito sabhatto samāno santaṁ bhikkhuṁ anāpucchā purebhattaṁ vā pacchābhattaṁ vā kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjeyya, aññatra samayā, pācittiyaṁ.

‘If a monk who has been invited to a meal visits families beforehand or afterwards without informing an available monk, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Tatthāyaṁ samayo. Cīvaradānasamayo, cīvarakārasamayo—ayaṁ tattha samayo”ti.

These are the appropriate occasions: it is the robe-giving season; it is a time of making robes.’”

Definitions

Yo panāti

A:

yo yādiso …pe…

whoever …

bhikkhūti

Monk:

…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.

Nimantito nāma

Invited:

pañcannaṁ bhojanānaṁ aññatarena bhojanena nimantito.

invited to eat any of the five cooked foods.

Sabhatto nāma

To a meal:

yena nimantito tena sabhatto.

the invitation includes a meal.

Santaṁ nāma bhikkhuṁ

An available monk:

sakkā hoti āpucchā pavisituṁ.

he is able to inform and then enter.

Asantaṁ nāma bhikkhuṁ

No available monk:

na sakkā hoti āpucchā pavisituṁ.

he is not able to inform and then enter.

Purebhattaṁ nāma

Beforehand:

yena nimantito taṁ abhuttāvī.

he has not yet eaten what he has been invited to eat.

Pacchābhattaṁ nāma

Afterwards:

yena nimantito taṁ antamaso kusaggenapi bhuttaṁ hoti.

even if he has just eaten what fits on the tip of a blade of grass from what he has been invited to eat.

Kulaṁ nāma

A family:

cattāri kulāni— khattiyakulaṁ, brāhmaṇakulaṁ, vessakulaṁ, suddakulaṁ.

there are four kinds of families: the aristocratic family, the brahmin family, the merchant family, the worker family.

Kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjeyyāti

Visits families:

aññassa gharūpacāraṁ okkamantassa āpatti dukkaṭassa.

if he enters the vicinity of someone else’s house, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Paṭhamaṁ pādaṁ ummāraṁ atikkāmeti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If he crosses the threshold with the first foot, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Dutiyaṁ pādaṁ atikkāmeti, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If he crosses the threshold with the second foot, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Aññatra samayāti

Except on an appropriate occasion:

ṭhapetvā samayaṁ.

unless it is an appropriate occasion.

Cīvaradānasamayo nāma

It is the robe-giving season:

anatthate kathine vassānassa pacchimo māso, atthate kathine pañca māsā.

for one who has not participated in the robe-making ceremony, it is the last month of the rainy season. For one who has participated in the robe-making ceremony, it is the five-month period.

Cīvarakārasamayo nāma

It is a time of making robes:

cīvare kayiramāne.

when he is making robes.

Permutations

Nimantite nimantitasaññī santaṁ bhikkhuṁ anāpucchā purebhattaṁ vā pacchābhattaṁ vā kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjati, aññatra samayā, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If he has been invited, and he perceives that he has, and he visits families beforehand or afterwards without informing an available monk, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Nimantite vematiko santaṁ bhikkhuṁ anāpucchā purebhattaṁ vā pacchābhattaṁ vā kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjati, aññatra samayā, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If he has been invited, but he is unsure of it, and he visits families beforehand or afterwards without informing an available monk, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Nimantite animantitasaññī santaṁ bhikkhuṁ anāpucchā purebhattaṁ vā pacchābhattaṁ vā kulesu cārittaṁ āpajjati, aññatra samayā, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If he has been invited, but he does not perceive that he has, and he visits families beforehand or afterwards without informing an available monk, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Animantite nimantitasaññī, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If he has not been invited, but he perceives that he has, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Animantite vematiko, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If he has not been invited, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Animantite animantitasaññī, anāpatti.

If he has not been invited, and he does not perceive that he has, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

Anāpatti—

There is no offense:

samaye,

if it is an appropriate occasion;

santaṁ bhikkhuṁ āpucchā pavisati,

if he enters after informing an available monk;

asantaṁ bhikkhuṁ anāpucchā pavisati,

if, when there is no available monk, he enters without informing anyone;

aññassa gharena maggo hoti,

if the road passes someone else’s house;

gharūpacārena maggo hoti,

if the road passes the vicinity of someone else’s house;

antarārāmaṁ gacchati,

if he is going between monasteries;

bhikkhunupassayaṁ gacchati,

if he is going to a nunnery;

titthiyaseyyaṁ gacchati,

if he is going to the dwelling place of the monastics of another religion;

paṭikkamanaṁ gacchati,

if he is returning to the monastery;

bhattiyagharaṁ gacchati,

if he is going to the house where he has been invited;

āpadāsu,

if there is an emergency;

ummattakassa,

if he is insane;

ādikammikassāti.

if he is the first offender.

Cārittasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.

The training rule on visiting families before a meal, the sixth, is finished.