Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Sk 79Licking the Bowl
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pattanillehaka
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Explanation of the Pattanillehaka Sutta (Licking the Bowl)
Background
The Pattanillehaka Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the disciplinary section of the Pāli Canon. These are the rules of pedagogical discipline established by the Buddha Gotama for the Sangha. This discourse appears in the context of assemblies of the Sangha (Saṅgiti), where the deepest guardians of the Buddha’s teaching gathered to confirm and record the Master’s words.
According to the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not only a collection of restrictive rules but also an expression of wisdom and compassion. Each rule has a clear originating context: a specific event occurred among the monks, and from it the Buddha taught a rule to protect the Sangha and the teaching.
Main Content
The Pattanillehaka Sutta concerns the action of licking the bowl (patta = eating bowl; nillehaka = licking). This practice reflects an important aspect of early Buddhist practice: heedfulness (appamāda) in every daily action, even in matters that seem ordinary.
Within the framework of Sangha practice, caring for the alms bowl after a meal is a sacred task. The bowl is not merely a utensil but also a symbol of humility and gratitude. When a monk licks the bowl clean so as not to waste food, this expresses respect for the path and mindfulness in daily life. However, depending on the manner of practice, the action may also reflect different psychological attitudes: from mindfulness to fascination or lack of attention.
This discourse instructs monks to follow the appropriate rule so that the action of licking the bowl is performed with clear awareness of the reason, namely not wasting and showing respect, rather than from gluttony or an unmindful habit.
Practical Meaning
Through this discourse, we learn the principles of “Sati” (Mindfulness) and “Sampajañña” (Full Clear Awareness).
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