The Size of the Monk's Almsbowl

The Size of the Monk's Almsbowl

Amongst the Bhikkhus in Thailand the bowl is considered to be an important requisite which no Buddhist Monk should be without. In fact it is always considered to be an essential requisite from the day of their ordination right to the end of their life in the Sangha.

But there are many types of bowls and many sizes as well, within the limitations specified in the Vinaya rules. In particular, amongst those Bhikkhus who follow in the line of Venerable Ajaan Mun it is generally thought that the bowl should be of medium to large size.

This comes from the way in which they like to go wandering as ascetics in the forests and mountains as it suits their inclination, for they do not like staying fixed in any one place outside the rainy season (vassa). 

When they go wandering, they walk barefoot, and go wherever they feel inclined, and those requisites which are necessary they have to carry along with them, but they do not take much.

When they are wandering about they keep many of the requisites in the bowl, such as, the outer robe (saṅghāṭi), the mosquito net, the razor, the candle lantern and candles. 

Therefore the bowls which the Dhutanga (Tudong) Bhikkhus use tend to be much larger than those which are normally used in order to accommodate these requisites and to carry them along conveniently when they go from place to place.

For once they have filled up the bowl, nearly all their requisites are taken care of and they can sling it over one shoulder and set off walking, with their umbrella tent and a small handbag on the other shoulder. The bowl is heavy, and for those who are not used to it, it may be very difficult or even more than they can stand. But being a Kammaṭṭhāna Bhikkhu is rather like being a warrior in a war who must just put up with whatever conditions he has to face.

A fairly big bowl is also more convenient to eat from because all the food is put together in the bowl. The rice, savoury and sweet things are all there in one bowl and they have no plates, dishes, spoons or forks. Once they have finished eating, they wash and dry the bowl, making it clean and free from smell. 

In washing the bowl it is necessary to do it at least three times with fresh water each time. 

Then after it has been wiped dry, if the sun is out, it is put out to dry completely for a short while before being put away in a suitable place, depending on circumstances; but if the weather is clear, the bowl may be left with the lid off to get rid of any lingering smell that it may have.

The Kammaṭṭhāna Bhikkhus look after their bowls very carefully. If someone offers to wash and wipe out their bowl, they are reluctant to let them do so if they have never done it before. 

Because they are afraid of the bowl getting rusty, afraid that it may be put down in a place where it is not safe, afraid that it may knock against hard objects, or that it may drop and hit something hard which may damage or dent it so that rust will start forming there before long. 

When this happens and rust forms, the whole bowl has to be rubbed down with abrasive stones and emery paper to remove all the black iron oxide both inside and outside until the metal is clean. Then it must be re-oxidised by heating it in a fire and the fire must be replenished five times to accord with the Vinaya rules, after which it may be used. All this means a lot of trouble and hard work, so the Bhikkhus look after their bowls more carefully than any other requisites and they are reluctant to let other people handle them.

When returning from piṇḍapāta, people sometimes go and ask the Bhikkhus for their bowls, to carry them back for them. But if they feel uncertain about the person who asks, whether he has ever had any experience in looking after a bowl, they will probably refuse politely, giving some reason or excuse for doing so. They will not readily hand their bowl to anyone until they had taught them how and where to put the bowl down, how to wash it clean and wipe it, and how to look after it generally until that person understands. Then he would be allowed to handle the bowl.

~ Luang Ta Maha Bua

Translator: Ajaan Paññãvaddho

From the book PaṬipadā

Wat Pa Ban Tat, Udon Thani Province