patra
The Buddhist monks carry a pātra (पात्र) or bowl which is used for begging alms. The Indian tradition has it that when the Buddha completed four weeks of Buddha-hood, Tapussa and Bhallika, two merchants of Ukkula in Orissa, were warned by a deity that they were approaching a Buddha.
The merchants came to the Buddha and offered him rice and honey cakes. The Buddha could not accept food in his hands; whereupon , the four gods of the quarters brought him a stone bowl from which he ate the food.
Patra
The pātra is semi-circular in shape. It is usually held in the hands when these rest on the lap.