17.6 Of the Order and the Accepting of Gifts

Controverted Point: That it ought not to be said “The Order accepts gifts”.

Theravādin: But is not the Order worthy of offerings of hospitality, of gifts, of salutations, as the world's supreme field of merit? How then can it be wrong to say it accepts gifts? Were not its four pairs of men, its eight classes of individuals declared by the Exalted One to be worthy of gifts? And are there not they who give to it?

Finally, was it not said by the Exalted One:

“As doth the holy flame its offering,
As doth the bounteous earth the summer rain,
So doth the Order, in rapt thought expert,
The Gift accept”?

Hence surely the Order accepts gifts.

Mahāsuññatāvādin: But can a Path accept? Can Fruition accept? … .