Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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STUDIES IN BUDDHIST AND JAINA MONACHISM
food procured by worldly arts and crafts as livelihood, or by the intervention of a nun, or after preaching the dhamma (a religious discourse), or from a nun in course of begging was not allowed to the monks.
The begging-bowl, commonly known as patta, is one of the eight equipments allowed to a monk. The rules pertaining to its material, use and maintenance come thus in the Vinayapitaka. The use of a begging-bowl made of costly metals as gold (sovanna), silver (rupiya), pearl (mari), beryl (veluriya), crystal (phalika), bellmetal (kamsa), glass (kāca), tin (tipu), lead (sisa), copper (tambalo ha) and bronze (loha) is not allowed to a monk. So also a bowl made of wood (daru) or decorated with beautiful figures and linings is demeed unfit for the use of a monk. The use of gourd (tumbakaṭāha), turtle shell (ghatikaṭāha) or human skull (chavasisa) as bowl is denied to a monk on account of its use among the titthiyas (heretics). Thus only a bowl made either of iron (aya) or of clay (mattika) is allowed to the Buddhists.5
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Moreover monks are enjoined upon to use and maintain their bowls with due care. They are allowed the use of a stand, etc. for the protection of their bowls and are forbidden from keeping their bowls in the sun with water in them or at a dangerous place like the edge of sleeping bench, etc."
The monks had to proceed to a village in a way prescribed to them by the Order. Such methods fixed for attending a communitydinner and starting a begging tour were known as bhattaggavalta and pindacārikavatta respectively. According to the rule of bhaltaggavatia, a mendicant clad properly and provided with a begging-bowl, set out slowly and carefully with downcast eyes not pushing one's way in front of the seniors. Proceeding to a village with disordered robes, long laughter, swaying limbs, hands on the heaps and unusual gait looking to and fro was strictly prohibited. So also, when taking a seat in the house of a donor he should neither encroach on the seniors nor debar a junior form his seat. Thus he should receive food in his begging bowl washed properly with the water given before the meal.
DN, Vol. I, pp. 7-12.
PM, 5. 29.
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KN. Vol. I, Suttani pata, 1. 4. 81, p. 282. PM, 6. 1.
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CV, 5. 5. 10-13, pp. 201-213.
6. Ibid, 5. 5. 12, p. 203; 5. 8. 22, p. 213. 7. Ibid, 5. 5. 12, p. 202-203.
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