Xct Mu Bu Vb Sk 65Licking the Bowl

The Pattanillehaka Sutta (Licking the Bowl)

Background

The Pattanillehaka Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Vinaya Mukhattara, the basic rules of discipline. This is a Dharma discourse concerning monastic discipline, especially actions in daily life at monasteries. In the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a set of rigid prohibitions, but guidance for practice intended to train the mind, restrain the senses, and nurture ethics. The background of this discourse concerns a concrete situation in the community of bhikkhus, when certain bhikkhus behaved in a manner inconsistent with the life of one gone forth.

The discourse is preserved in Pāli versions from ancient Theravāda schools, reflecting the way of life of bhikkhus during the Buddha’s lifetime. The attention given to details such as conduct with the alms bowl shows that the Buddha-Dharma values even the smallest actions, because every action is an expression of the mind.

Main Content

The Pattanillehaka Sutta concerns the act of licking the eating bowl after the rice has been finished. In the practice context of bhikkhus, this act is considered inappropriate because it reflects greed, lack of contentment, and a lack of grace in daily conduct. The Buddha taught that bhikkhus should eat with mindfulness (sati), not for the pleasure of taste, but to sustain the body in service of the path of practice.

When a bhikkhu licks the bowl, he appears to be craving more food. This is contrary to the spirit of eating in the Buddha-Dharma, which is to eat just enough to live, not to seek pleasure. This act is also regarded as disrespectful toward the alms bowl, an implement provided for the purpose of practice. The rule therefore forbids bhikkhus from licking the bowl after eating.

The content of the discourse emphasizes that ordinary actions, if not properly cultivated, can become unseemly images that bring public disfavor and affect the honor of the Sangha.