Overview
Stinginess or meanness (macchariya) is a defilement closely related to greed (lobha), but specifically characterized by an inability to share what one has with others. It is a deeply contracting mental state. In monastic and lay life, the Buddha identified five specific domains where this toxicity manifests.
The List
- Āvāsamacchariya - Stinginess regarding dwellings: The selfish desire to keep a residence, monastery, or good location exclusively for oneself or one’s own group, resenting the arrival of others.
- Kulamacchariya - Stinginess regarding families/supporters: The selfish desire to keep wealthy or devoted lay supporters to oneself, resenting it if they give alms or respect to other monks.
- Lābhamacchariya - Stinginess regarding gains: The selfish hoarding of material requisites (robes, food, medicine), unable to share them with peers who are in need.
- Vaṇṇamacchariya - Stinginess regarding praise/reputation: The inability to tolerate hearing the praise or good qualities of another person, actively wanting only oneself to be highly regarded.
- Dhammamacchariya - Stinginess regarding the Dhamma: The hoarding of spiritual knowledge. Refusing to teach the Dhamma or share textual insights with others out of fear that they might become equal to or greater than oneself. The Buddha called this the most wretched of the five.
Textual References
- Canonical: Macchariya Sutta (AN 5.254) – The Buddha lists these five and declares that a monk cannot attain Stream-entry without abandoning them.