Upp Np 22An Almsbowl With Fewer Than Five Mends

The Ūnapañcabandhana Sutta: An Almsbowl With Fewer Than Five Mends

Context

Ūnapañcabandhana (ūna = fewer than, pañca = five, bandhana = mend) is one of the subsidiary rules in the Nissaggiya Pācittiya section of the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early tradition. This discourse concerns regulations about the almsbowl, the most necessary article for each bhikkhu in the life of practice.

The foundation of the rules concerning almsbowls comes from the early history of the Sangha. At first, the Buddha allowed the disciples to use almsbowls even though the Sangha had no specific rule. However, when some bhikkhus showed that owning too many almsbowls or bowls of too fine a quality led to attachment and distraction from practice, the Buddha laid down detailed regulations to maintain discipline and direct the mind toward the Dharma.

Main Content

The Ūnapañcabandhana Sutta regulates the acceptable condition of an almsbowl. Specifically, an almsbowl is considered usable if it has fewer than five mends. If an almsbowl has five mends or more, the bhikkhu must relinquish it and receive a new bowl from the Sangha or from laypeople, instead of arbitrarily trying to repair it and continue using it.

This rule reflects the principle of the Middle Way that the Buddha always emphasized. On the one hand, the Buddha-Dharma does not encourage waste; a bhikkhu should not discard an almsbowl too soon. On the other hand, economy is not a reason to accept implements that are too poor and defective, which would make the practice of eating and concentration difficult. The limit of five mends is considered a reasonable point of balance.

Moreover, this rule also has a deep psychological meaning. When a bhikkhu must relinquish a damaged article, it is an opportunity to train in loving-kindness (mettā) and impermanence (anicca). The almsbowl is only an instrument, not private property. Receiving a new bowl is not gaining something, but continuing to serve the practice.