Lzh Mu Bu Vb Np 21An Extra Almsbowl
Pāli / Sanskrit:Patta
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The Sutta on an Extra Almsbowl (Patta)
Background
This sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, one of the three divisions of the Pāli Canon. Specifically, it belongs to the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the section regulating the conduct of bhikkhunīs. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a collection of doctrinal sermons, but a compilation of disciplinary rules established by the Buddha for the monastic community.
The story of this “extra bowl” (patta) arose from concrete situations in monastic life. Bhikkhunīs needed bowls to hold food when going on almsround, and the number of bowls was clearly regulated according to the rules of the Sangha. When disputes or problems arose regarding personal property, the Buddha would give specific guidance to maintain harmony and simplicity in the community.
Main Content
This sutta concerns the case of a bhikkhunī possessing an additional bowl beyond the prescribed number. According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, a bhikkhunī is permitted to have only three bowls: a main bowl (mahā-patta), a secondary bowl (khuddaka-patta), and a small bowl (bhājana). Possessing an extra bowl beyond the regulation is regarded as a violation of the principle of simple and disciplined living.
The sutta sets out the actions to be taken when this violation is discovered: the bhikkhunī must acknowledge the fault, and the extra bowl must be dealt with according to the rules of the Sangha: it may be incorporated into the common property of the monastery or handled according to the judgment of the elders.
The important matter is not the bowl itself, but the principle it represents: moderation and non-greed. Each detail of the Vinaya Piṭaka reflects the philosophy of Theravāda Buddhism: not absolute prohibition, but guidance for bhikkhunīs to act so that the mind remains pure and is not drawn into attachment to material things.
Practical Meaning
The Sutta on an Extra Almsbowl teaches us that practice is not only contemplation in meditation, but also begins with daily actions and decisions.
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