四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 2.80

2.80

The twenty-second precept: Begging for a bowl. Regarding the intention behind the prohibition: When a bowl has fewer than five mends and does not leak, it is capable of sustaining the body's use. Now, to go begging everywhere from non-relatives increases greed and obstructs the Path, and annoys and harasses the donors; in principle, this is impermissible, and so a holy prohibition was required. The particular conditions are six: 1. already possessing a received and kept bowl; 2. it has fewer than five mends and does not leak; 3. begging from non-relatives; 4. for oneself; 5. begging for a bowl according with the Dharma; 6. receiving it immediately constitutes an offense. Below, the text of the precept is properly explained. This precept arose because Upananda's bowl broke, and he subsequently begged many bowls from many laypeople, whereupon he was criticized; monks reported the fault, and the Buddha consequently established the precept.