《護僧》（中英版本，12之三）

 

二、四事之供養

 

    在佛之時代，出家眾獲得的供養，只是四種資具：衣服、食物、床座及醫藥。且還不得有為私欲與活命而受用供養，因為比丘其中之一義即是乞士，不得再為活命而浪費生命，應以修道為首要任務。

 

　　身為在家眾，若要供養出家者，應該先大約請示其需要，才作適當的布施。但是，這又並非要出家眾列出清單，因為如此又違反其戒律精神了。南傳佛教國家對於這種精神，依然保留至現在，甚至連金錢亦能不碰觸；這和北傳佛教的傳承與特色，有某些距離，但這並不就等於背離了佛陀的根本精神，隨方毗尼的拿捏，各有各的依據與背景，不能草率下定論。

 

　　站在護持僧眾解脫的觀點來看，布施者應該要以成就修道資糧（除食衣住行的供養外，補助弘化教育等的供養，亦應視為同等重要）為先。由於時代的進步，供養也顯得多采多姿了。出家眾為弘法利生，也不得不興辦學校、從事雜誌、電腦佈教等，背後的目的當然是純潔的。如此下來，出家人的需要自然會比以前的人來得多，北傳的化區，由於從事各方面的事業，故善用金錢來推行活動，成了不可或缺的事實。也因為這樣，出家人除了以上所言之四種資具外，信眾也可以就其本身之需求，而提供如法與適當的供養。

 

　　但是，有一點也必須小心的就是，這不意味出家眾就可以為所欲為，居家者亦非盲目地滿足其需求即便罷事，因為這種無限制的供養，會造致很多弊端。第一、出家眾因此不能安心辦道，反而生起不必要的染著；第二、浪費金錢，又不能達到弘化利生的功效。這些都屬於無智的供養，擾亂了僧眾的法身慧命，亦達不到清淨布施的功德。

 

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Fundamentals of supporting and maintaining the Sangha

/By Ven Kai Ren

 

2. Make four kinds of offerings

 

During the Buddha’s time, Sangha members received only 4 types of dana (offering): clothes, food, bedding, and medicine. They must not receive dana to satisfy desires or for a living; one meaning of ‘Bikkhu’ is ‘beggar’, so they should not waste time in making a living. Their primary mission is to practice the Dharma.

 

If laypeople wish to make offerings, it is good to inquire Sangha members’ needs so that the donation can be made appropriately. But this does not mean to ask Sangha members for a wish list, as that would be against the spirit of precepts.  Speaking of precepts, different Buddhism sects have different views and actions on “money”. Theravada keeps the original precepts from Buddha’s time until today, so Theravada Sangha do not touch money; on the contrary, Mahayana Sangha do take and use money. However, we shall not draw a rash conclusion that Mahayana Buddhism are against the basic spirit of the Buddha, because each tradition is evolved from different conditions.

 

With a view to supporting the Sangha to attain liberation, necessities in the path of cultivation, including the basic needs and expenses for spreading the teachings, should take the priority over any other matter.

 

The offerings to Sangha members are becoming more diversified in these years. In order to propagate the Dharma and benefit the general public, some of the Sangha build schools, publish magazines and use computers. Since they involve various fields of activities, they may require money as well as various supports to undertake these activities. Therefore, apart from the 4 types of dana mentioned above, laypeople should also provide appropriate offerings in accordance to the needs.    

 

However, I do not mean that Sangha members can act according to their whims and fancies. Laypeople must not blindly satisfy the requirements of Sangha members, as that will create many problems. For example, the unlimited dana may give rise to unnecessary attachment so that Sangha members may not be able to practice the Dharma peacefully. Additionally, money is wasted if the purpose of propagating the Dharma is lost. Unwise provisions will disturb the Sangha’s virtuousness and will not bring about any merits of offering.