Buddhist monks (bhikkhu) depend on the support of well wishers for their four requisites of robes, food, shelter and medicine. They in turn provide spiritual guidance and advice to lay supporters. Also, these acts of benevolence gives lay supporters the opportunity to acquire merit that results from their kind intentions.
Pindapata, the pali term for the Buddhist monk’s alms-food gathering, literally means ‘the food morsel’s fall (into the alms-bowl)’.
The practice of alms-food gathering can be traced back to the earliest Buddhist records. While it has been largely discontinued in several Buddhist countries, this practice survives in parts of Southeast Asia following the Theravada Buddhist tradition. In such places it is a common sight for a bhikkhu to be collecting food in the early morning. The duty of the Buddhist devotee is to offer food to these bhikkhus in support of their holy pursuit.
Pindapata at Palelai Buddhist Temple
The daily alms-round practised by the resident bhikkhus of Palelai Buddhist Temple was started with the intention of educating the public regarding the Theravada Buddhist tradition's monastic way of living and of the mutual support between monastics and lay supporters.
The practice of alms food collection is a very dignified way to support the Buddhist monks' physical needs and it is conducted with sense restraint and mindfulness. So during the alms rounds, bhikkhus are usually silent, with their eyes downcast. They stand still (outside the hawker centres) with the alms bowl covered with a lid until confirmation is given by a food donor through visual indication of intention to offer food. Upon completion of the food offering into the alms bowl, alms food collecting monks will then again cover the alms bowl with the lid till the next well wisher shows an indication to offer.
Volunteers (when available) will help to explain to the public that the alms bowl is meant for collecting donations of food and not monetary offerings, and the significance of the observances.
Monks of the Theravada Buddhist tradition only consume food between the break of dawn (around 6.45am) and 12 noon and therefore, they do not collect alms after 12.00 noon. Moreover, they are forbidden to keep or store food after 12.00 noon.
To ensure a correct understanding of the purpose of the Buddhist monk's alms bowl, our resident bhikkhus consume their meals from their alms bowl every day, 11.00am at Palelai Buddhist Temple's dining hall. Devotees are encouraged to come to witness and understand the purpose of eating from the alms bowl.
Other than the alms round in public areas as mentioned above, alms-round observances are also carried out in Palelai Buddhist Temple's compound during some of our Buddhist festival celebrations. These are usually carried out at around 9.00am with the bhikkhus going around the temple compound and devotees offering food and rations to them.
ref.: The Blessings of Pindapata by Bhikkhu Kantipalo