The Blessings of Pindapátaby
Bhikkhu Khantipálo
Buddhist Publication Society
Wheel Publication No. 73
© 1964 Buddhist Publication Society
FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION ONLY
NOT FOR SALE
The Blessings of Pindapáta TO THOSE who live in lands where the teachings of the Lord Buddha have been long established, the sight of a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) collecting food in the early morning, is a common one. But where the teachings are newly arrived, or where bhikkhus are few, the practice of giving food to wandering monks is known only by pictures or from written accounts.
Neither of these convey the real atmosphere of this giving and receiving to those interested in the Buddhist Way and yet live in countries where the Teaching is not the traditional form of religion. Even many Buddhists living in Northern Buddhist lands may know little of pindapáta;1 for the practice of alms-gathering by bhikkhus there has, for various reasons which we need not here investigate, been largely discontinued and the traditional practice now survives only in Southeast Asian countries practicing the Theraváda Buddhist tradition.
Though this too is also a written account of alms-giving and collecting, it is written from experience and will try to be as evocative of the atmosphere of the pindapáta as possible, and as many factors basic to the Buddhist way of life are involved in this simple act, it is hoped that this may prove useful to all those Buddhists who are far separated from these Buddhist lands....
(The work was kindly contributed by Kusala. Sadhu!)
Publications by Khantipalo on accesstoinsight
Download:
http://forum.sangham.net/index.php?action=tpmod;dl=item59