Bu Np 2222. Exchanging an almsbowl with fewer than five mends
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ūnapañcabandhana
A monk who asks for a new bowl when his existing bowl is still useable must relinquish it and confess the offense.
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Ūnapañcabandhana: The Rule Concerning Improperly Requesting an Almsbowl
Background
This rule is recorded in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha (the code of rules for monks), belonging to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. The term "Ūnapañcabandhana" (ūna = fewer than, pañca = five, bandhana = mend/repair) refers to almsbowls that have been mended fewer than five times and are therefore still in usable condition.
In the monastic life of the bhikkhus, the almsbowl (patta) is regarded as one of the four most essential requisites. The Buddha laid down clear principles regarding the use and replacement of almsbowls in order to prevent wastefulness, greed, and violation of the spirit of frugality and simplicity of life within the Saṅgha. The rule concerning Ūnapañcabandhana reflects the Buddha's strict stance on the management of monastic property.
The account records that certain bhikkhus, whether out of carelessness or desire, would request a new almsbowl while their old one was still serviceable. This constitutes a violation of the principle of economy and leads to distraction of the practitioner's mind.
Main Content
The Ūnapañcabandhana rule states clearly: if a bhikkhu requests a new almsbowl for himself while his current bowl has been mended fewer than five times and is still usable, that bhikkhu commits a Pācittiya offense — one of the offenses requiring public confession before the Saṅgha.
This practice requires:
First, the bhikkhu must be clearly aware of the condition of his own almsbowl. Only when the bowl has been mended five or more times (Pañcabandhana), or is no longer serviceable, may he request a new bowl without violating the rule.
Second, the request for an almsbowl must be carried out in accordance with the proper procedure. A bhikkhu may not independently seek out or actively solicit a new almsbowl; he must wait until the old bowl is truly no longer usable, or until one is provided by the Saṅgha.
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