Mpt Sk 66Na pātrasaṁdhūnaka
Pāli / Sanskrit:Na pātrasaṁdhūnaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
NA PĀTRASAṀDHŪNAKA SUTTA
The Prohibition Against Shaking the Bowl
Background
The Na pātrasaṁdhūnaka Sutta (Na pātrasaṁdhūnaka — “The bowl must not be shaken”) is a rule of virtuous training in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically belonging to the Suttavibhaṅga section of the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the discourse of rules for bhikkhunīs. This is one among many detailed rules intended to regulate eating behavior and the use of monastic property within the Sangha community.
This sutta reflects the early context of Early Buddhism, when the Buddha and his disciples still faced practical issues of daily discipline. Not every action is regarded by the Dharma as inappropriate because it is bad in itself, but because it may cause unease or disturbance for others, or may lead the human mind into habits lacking proper standards. Shaking the bowl while eating — an apparently harmless act — is considered improper etiquette for one gone forth and may express a lack of refinement or a disrespectful attitude toward food.
Main Content
This rule prohibits bhikkhunīs from shaking or rubbing the bowl during eating and drinking. This behavior is considered unsuitable to the dignity, restraint, and delicacy that a practitioner should display. When receiving food — whether from acts of merit or from the provisions of the Sangha — one gone forth should maintain an attitude of gratitude, courtesy, and quietness.
Shaking the bowl may include such actions as shaking the bowl by hand, rubbing the bowl in order to scrape it clean, or making unnecessary movements that produce noise. Although these actions may seem small, they reflect a state of mind that is insufficiently composed, lacking concentration and self-discipline.
In the Vinaya Piṭaka, rules such as this are not unreasonable restrictions but practical guidance for building complete habits. They teach monastics that every action, every movement, has an effect on the mind and on one’s dealings with the surrounding world. A bhikkhunī is encouraged to eat consciously, with respect for the food and for those who provide it.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.