Alms bowl
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alms bowl
鉢 (Skt patra; Pali patta; Jpn hachi or hatsu )
A begging bowl used by monks. Patra means a bowl, vessel, receptacle, alms bowl, dish, plate, or utensil. According to monastic rules, a monk was permitted to possess three different robes and one begging bowl. This bowl was used as receptacle for food at mealtime, or for alms received during the practice of begging. Monastic discipline prescribed that alms bowls be either iron or earthenware.
See also three robes.
