Pinda Sutta - Alms

Pinda Sutta
Alms

Thus I have heard…

On one occasion, the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, at Anāthapindika's monastery.

At that time, upon returning from their alms-round and after the meal, a large number of monks were gathered together sitting at the Kareri-Tree Pavilion when this discussion arose amongst them:

"Friends, an alms-collecting monk, while going for alms, 
periodically sees agreeable sights via the eye… 
periodically hears agreeable sounds via the ear... 
periodically smells agreeable aromas via the nose... 
periodically tastes agreeable flavors via the tongue... 
periodically touches agreeable tactile sensations via the body. 
An alms-collecting monk, while going for alms, is honored, respected, revered, venerated, and given homage.

So, friends, let us become alms-collecting monks. Then we too, while going for alms, 
will periodically get to see agreeable sights via the eye... 
will periodically get to hear agreeable sounds via the ear... 
will periodically get to smell agreeable aromas via the nose... 
will periodically get to taste agreeable flavors via the tongue... 
will periodically get to touch agreeable tactile sensations via the body. 
We too, while going for alms, will be honored, respected, revered, venerated, and given homage."

However, this discussion came to no conclusion.

Then the Buddha, emerging from his seclusion in the late afternoon, went to the Kareri-Tree Pavilion and, upon arrival, sat down on the seat laid out. There seated, he addressed the monks:

"For what topic of discussion, Bhikkhus, are you here gathered together that has thus come to no conclusion?"

The Brethren thus answered the Buddha:

"Just now, lord, upon returning from our alms-round and after the meal, we were gathered here together sitting at the Kareri-Tree Pavilion when this discussion arose amongst us:

‘Friends, an alms-collecting monk, while going for alms, periodically sees agreeable sights via the eye… He periodically hears agreeable sounds via the ear... He periodically smells agreeable aromas via the nose... He periodically tastes agreeable flavors via the tongue... He periodically touches agreeable tactile sensations via the body. An alms-collecting monk, while going for alms, is honored, respected, revered, venerated, and given homage.
 
So, friends, let's become alms-collecting monks. Then we, too, while going for alms, will periodically get to see agreeable sights via the eye... will periodically get to hear agreeable sounds via the ear... will periodically get to smell agreeable aromas via the nose... will periodically get to taste agreeable flavors via the tongue... will periodically get to touch agreeable tactile sensations via the body. We, too, while going for alms, will be honored, respected, revered, venerated, and given homage.’”

The Buddha then admonished the monks:

"It is not proper, Bhikkhus, that sons of good families, on having gone forth, out of faith, from home to the homeless life, should talk of such a topic.

When you have gathered you have two duties: either to discuss the Dhamma or to share in the Noble Silence."

Then, the Buddha exclaimed further:

“In regards to the Bhikkhu going for alms, supporting himself and no other: the Devas adore such a one who is free from desire, and not intent on praise &/or fame.”

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