Difference between revisions of "Alms gathering"
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| − | [[Alms]] [[gathering]] ([[piṇḍapāta]]) is the means by which [[Buddhist]] [[monks]] and [[nuns]] get their [[food]]. This practice differs from begging. A {{Wiki|beggar}} asks or pleads for [[alms]] whereas [[Buddhist]] [[monks]] and [[nuns]] only present themselves at the door of a potential donor, stand quietly for a few moments and after receiving something, move on. The [[Mahāvastu]] says: ‘The [[wise]] [[monk]] asks for [[nothing]], the [[noble ones]] do not hint of their needs. They just stand and let their [[bowl]] be seen. This is how the [[noble ones]] [[gather]] [[alms]].’ The [[bowl]] ([[patta]]) in which the [[food]] is received and later eaten out of, is one of the eight requisites of [[monks]] and [[nuns]]. The practice of [[gathering]] [[alms]] has almost [[died]] in [[Sri Lanka]] but is still common in [[Burma]] and [[Thailand]]. | + | [[Alms]] [[gathering]] ([[piṇḍapāta]]) is the means by which [[Buddhist]] [[monks]] and [[nuns]] get their [[food]]. This practice differs from begging. A {{Wiki|beggar}} asks or pleads for [[alms]] whereas [[Buddhist]] [[monks]] and [[nuns]] only present themselves at the door of a potential donor, stand quietly for a few moments and after receiving something, move on. The [[Mahāvastu]] says: ‘The [[wise]] [[monk]] asks for [[nothing]], the [[noble ones]] do not hint of their needs. They just stand and let their [[bowl]] be seen. This is how the [[noble ones]] [[gather]] [[alms]].’ The [[bowl]] ([[patta]]) in which the [[food]] is received and later eaten out of, is one of the [[eight requisites]] of [[monks]] and [[nuns]]. The practice of [[gathering]] [[alms]] has almost [[died]] in [[Sri Lanka]] but is still common in [[Burma]] and [[Thailand]]. |
See [[Turning Over The Bowl]]. | See [[Turning Over The Bowl]]. | ||
Revision as of 10:14, 21 November 2013
Alms gathering (piṇḍapāta) is the means by which Buddhist monks and nuns get their food. This practice differs from begging. A beggar asks or pleads for alms whereas Buddhist monks and nuns only present themselves at the door of a potential donor, stand quietly for a few moments and after receiving something, move on. The Mahāvastu says: ‘The wise monk asks for nothing, the noble ones do not hint of their needs. They just stand and let their bowl be seen. This is how the noble ones gather alms.’ The bowl (patta) in which the food is received and later eaten out of, is one of the eight requisites of monks and nuns. The practice of gathering alms has almost died in Sri Lanka but is still common in Burma and Thailand.
See Turning Over The Bowl.
