Xct Mu Bi Sk 48Nopari khādanīyabhojanīyasya pātraṁ dhārayiṣyāma
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nopari khādanīyabhojanīyasya pātraṁ dhārayiṣyāma
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Exposition: Nopari Khādanīyabhojanīyasya Pātraṁ Dhārayiṣyāma
Background
This scripture belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the discipline for female monastics (Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga) in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The scripture is recorded from the Buddha’s instructions to the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha concerning rules related to the practice of alms-gathering and holding the bowl.
The historical background of this rule arose when female disciples first went forth. The Buddha not only taught the Dharma of practice, but also established detailed rules regarding bearing, clothing, daily requisites, and conduct within the community of practice. These regulations were intended to protect ethics, maintain collective discipline, and educate the character of those who had gone forth.
Main Content
The scripture “Nopari khādanīyabhojanīyasya pātraṁ dhārayiṣyāma” (literally, “We shall not hold the bowl containing hard and soft food in an improper way”) concerns the rule for holding and using the bowl (pātra) in daily practice.
In the Buddhist tradition, the bowl is not only an ordinary implement of daily life but also a symbol of humility and diligence. Holding the bowl correctly reflects respect for the goodwill of those who offer food (dāna). It is also an opportunity for female monastics to train mindfulness (sati) and right understanding (sammā-pajjaya) in even the simplest actions.
The scripture prescribes that nuns must hold their bowls in a dignified way, not carelessly or heedlessly. This includes how the bowl is carried, how it is set down, how it is washed after the meal, and how it is protected from impurity. This rule concerns not only material cleanliness but also spiritual cleanliness: restraining careless thoughts and cultivating carefulness and reverence.
Practical Meaning
This rule teaches us that nothing is small on the path of practice. Every detail of daily life is an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness.
🌏 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.