Ka Bu Pm Sk 57Licking the Bowl

Pattanillehaka Sutta: Rolling the Bowl

Background

The Pattanillehaka Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Khandhaka section. This discourse belongs to the context of rules concerning the practice of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs, with the Buddha Gotama and his disciples as the principal figures.

The event occurred when the Sangha encountered cases of violating the spirit of humility and disciplinary practice. In particular, it concerns the actions of bhikkhus who did not observe rules of conduct regarding the use of the bowl (patra), a sacred implement in Buddhist monastic life. The bowl is not only a tool of daily life, but also a symbol of simplicity, freedom from austerity, and service to the practice of Dharma.

Main Content

The discourse speaks of the action of some bhikkhus rolling the rim of the bowl in order to obtain leftover food. This is considered an improper action (aparisuddhacārikā) because it does not accord with the spirit of bhikkhu discipline. The Buddha pointed out that rolling the bowl in order to eat every grain of rice is a coarse act, lacking respect for food offered from the charitable hearts of laypeople.

However, what is more important is that the Buddha does not completely forbid this from the standpoint of making use of food, but addresses attitude and method of practice. The Buddha teaches that a bhikkhu should eat calmly and mindfully, without greed. If still hungry, he should eat more from the portion set aside; if enough, he should stop. Rolling the bowl, in this case, reflects a psychology of greed (lobha) and lack of mindfulness (asampadāna).

The discourse then establishes specific regulations concerning how the bowl is to be handled after the meal is finished. A bhikkhu should wash the bowl cleanly and with dignity, not wasting food but also not acting in a way that suggests greed. This is part of the Pātimokkha, the basic precepts in the Vinaya, intended to maintain the purity of bhikkhu practice.