Lzh Mu Bi Pm Sk 46Nopari khādanīyabhojanīyasya pātraṁ dhārayiṣyāma

Exposition of the Nopari Khādanīyabhojanīyasya Pātraṁ Dhārayiṣyāma Sutra

Background

This sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Early Buddhist tradition, specifically the Pātimokkha section, the basic rules governing the life of bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Buddha’s nirvana under the guidance of senior disciples, in order to protect and maintain the purity of the Sangha in the early period.

This sutra concerns regulations on how to behave when receiving and using the bowl (pātra), a sacred implement in the life of a bhikkhu. The bowl is not only an item of daily use, but also a symbol of simplicity, self-sufficiency, and discipline in practice. The rules related to the bowl reflect the spirit of non-greed and non-hatred among those who have gone forth.

Main Content

This sutra stipulates that bhikkhus will observe certain principles related to keeping and using bowls containing dry food (khādanīya) and cooked food (bhojanīya). The phrase “nopari dhārayiṣyāma” means “we shall not exceed” or “we shall not transgress the rule,” expressing a commitment to strict observance.

In the spirit of the Vinaya, a bhikkhu’s bowl is not permitted to exceed a certain size, an expression of the principle of the Middle Way (Majjhimā Paṭipadā). Caring for the bowl is also connected with not possessing too many belongings, in keeping with a way of life that renounces material pleasures. These regulations are not meaningless restraints, but tools of practice for controlling craving and maintaining mindfulness.

In addition, this sutra also suggests that bhikkhus must be responsible in material and economic matters. The bowl is one of the few possessions that a bhikkhu may own; therefore, preserving it properly reflects respect for the trust of the community and for the contributions of donors (dāyaka).