Xct Mu Bu Vb Sk 77Na taṭe na prapāte na prāgbhāre pātraṁ nirmādayiṣyāma

Exposition of the Na Taṭe Na Prapāte Na Prāgbhāre Pātraṁ Nirmādayiṣyāma Scripture

Context

This scripture belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, an important component of the Pāli Canon in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection of rules of practice and disciplinary guidance for the community of monks and nuns, established by the Buddha in order to protect the Sangha community and maintain purity in collective practice.

This verse is found in the Muktaka section (supplementary regulations) of the Sutta-Vibhaṅga, under the rules concerning the use of the alms bowl, a basic implement in the monastic life of monks and nuns. The scripture was taught in a context where bhikkhunīs needed to understand clearly the principles for handling and protecting monastic requisites, especially objects received as offerings.

Main Content

The title "Na taṭe na prapāte na prāgbhāre pātraṁ nirmādayiṣyāma" means: "We shall not let the bowl fall onto the ground, into water, or from high places, nor shall we allow it to be damaged."

The bowl (pātra) in Buddhism is regarded as one of the requisites, together with the robe, of a bhikkhu. It is not only a daily implement used to receive alms food, but also a symbol of simplicity, service, and non-attachment to material things in the monastic way of life. A bowl offered to monks or nuns is often a precious dāna gift from the Buddhist community.

The scripture lays down that a bhikkhunī must carefully protect her bowl from damage. Not allowing the bowl to fall onto the "ground" (taṭe), into "water" (prapāte), or from "high places" (prāgbhāre) are concrete instructions meant to prevent damage to requisites. This is related to three Pātimokkha faults (training rules): one must not be heedless with dāna requisites, must not damage the shared property of the Sangha, and must respect the generosity of Buddhists by taking good care of what they offer.