________________
264
S. B. DEO
The Begging Bowl (pāya):
Out of all the requisites of a monk, the alms vessel formed an essential article. Material :
Pots made out of either gourd (lāü), or wood (dāru) or earth (mattiyā) were permitted,276 and there seem to have been no concessions allowed in this matter, and the position remained unchanged. Pots made of any other material such as iron, copper, lead, glass, silver, gold, jewel, ivory, horn, skin or shell were strictly disallowed, and a monk making, using, or holding such pots had to undergo an expiatory penance for this.277 Besides this, the monks were forbidden to use pots "pitched inside"278 (antolittayam). Whence to Secure the Begging Bowl :
The chief source of obtaining the pot was the laity. The monk himself was forbidden to make pots for himself, as also he was disallowed to accept pots and other requisites from condemned families 279 (duguñchiya kula). Number of Pots Allowed :
Holding an excessive number of pots was deemed a transgression and the monk had to undergo a prāyaścitta for it.280 If monks and nuns wanted to have more bowls, then they could not do so without the permission of the owner.281 Time for Obtaining :
The monk was to accept it only in broad daylight, and accepting it either at night or at twilight was a fault.282 Securing, Use and Returning of the Pot:
Neither a monk nor a nun was ever allowed to accept the begging bowl without first taking the permission of the guru.283 So also they were not to take any article without the permission of the owner.284
276. Nis. 1, 39; Brh. kalp. 5, 14f. 277. See Appendix 1. 278. Brh, kalp. 1, 17. 279. Nis. 16, 28. 280. Ibid., 16, 39; also Appendix 1. 281. Vav. 8, 15. 282. Byh, kalp., 1, 45ff. 283. Ibid., 1, 39-42. 284. Vav. 8, 6.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
