Lzh Mu Bu Vb Np 22An Almsbowl With Fewer Than Five Mends

Explanation of the Sutta: An Almsbowl with Fewer Than Five Mends (Ūnapañcabandhana)

Background

This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition, specifically the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga section. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection of rules for the communal life of monks and nuns, compiled after the Buddha’s passing to protect the purity and order of the monastic order.

The Ūnapañcabandhana Sutta concerns detailed regulations regarding the almsbowl of a bhikkhunī. The almsbowl (patta) is one of the four indispensable requisites of Buddhism, used for receiving charitable food. In the life of practice, the bowl is not merely a practical tool but also symbolizes humility and the acceptance of offerings from those with faith.

This issue arose when bhikkhunīs used bowls that had been repaired many times. The law of the Sangha needed to determine how many mends an acceptable bowl could have. This apparently minor question in fact reflects the balance between strictness concerning possessions and practical life.

Main Content

The sutta states that if an almsbowl has fewer than five mends (ūnapañcabandhana), it is still considered valid for a bhikkhunī to use. Conversely, if a bowl has five mends or more, or is too badly damaged, it is no longer suitable.

This regulation is not arbitrary but has a deeper reason. A bowl that is too damaged may create practical problems: water may leak out, food may not be safely held, or it may even cause harm when used. Moreover, using a bowl that is excessively old and poor may reflect a negligent or careless state of mind toward the practice.

The Vinaya also specifies acceptable methods of repair: a bowl may be mended with suitable materials such as lacquer or natural adhesive. When a bowl has been mended too many times, it needs to be replaced with a new one.