钵 (bō) - Bowl — refers to a bowl or alms & also used for various types of bowls and

钵Tone 1

bō ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

钵 · bō

Bowl — refers to a bowl or alms bowl, especially a monk's alms bowl in Buddhist contexts;

also used for various types of bowls and containers.

Bowl — refers to a bowl or almsalso used for various types of bowls and

Usage highlights

alms bowlrice bowlmortar bowliron bowlclay bowlbegging bowl

Synonyms

  • 碗— bowl (general term)
  • 盂— bowl, basin

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The monk carried his alms bowl (钵盂) for collecting food.
  • She served rice in a ceramic bowl (陶瓷钵).
  • This is a traditional rice bowl (饭碗).
  • The laboratory uses a mortar and pestle (研钵).

Collocations

  • alms bowl(钵盂)
  • rice bowl(饭碗)
  • mortar bowl(研钵)
  • iron bowl(铁钵)
  • clay bowl(陶钵)
  • begging bowl(乞食钵)

Idioms

  • To inherit the mantle and alms bowl(衣钵相传)
  • To pass on the robe and bowl(传衣钵)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to the alms bowl used by Buddhist monks for begging, symbolizing the monastic life.
  • In Chan/Zen Buddhism, the passing of the robe and bowl from master to disciple signifies the transmission of dharma.
  • The character appears in the idiom '衣钵相传' meaning to pass on knowledge, tradition, or authority from one generation to the next.

FAQ