An alms bowl is more than just a bowl, it’s symbolic of the monkhood and a holy item to be handled with care and respect. It’s one of the few possessions that a monk owns, besides his robes and a few other necessities. This bowl is used to receive foods offered by the lay people during their morning alms round (“tak baht”) or other occasions when foods are offered. In Thailand and other Buddhist countries, giving alms to the monks is a daily act to create good karma. We believe that in supporting the monks in such a way, good karma is thus created as we’re supporting individuals that are living a holy life and are striving for the highest goal, the realization of nirvana. It’s sort of like supporting a student to become a doctor, the act of doing so results in something positive for both the giver and receiver.

In the olden days the alms bowls were handmade with the distinct touch of the maker. Nowadays they’re mostly uniformly massed produced by the factories, churning out thousands of bowls in precise shape and size. However, thanks to the “House of Bowls” or “Bahn Baht” as it’s called in Thai, we can still get to see how these bowls are made since the foregone years.

Though it sounds like some sort of hip restaurant, the “House of Bowls” is actually a small community involved in a dying art that goes back to the dawn of Buddhism. There are about 60 or so people living and working in this community, clanking away each day at the small alley in the Rattanakosin area of Bangkok. It’s believed that the community was created by refugees trying to escape the war with Burma back in the 1700s.
Their main source of income these days is pretty much from tourists looking for a unique souvenir, with the occasional orders from temples requiring handmade bowls.
If you’re in the area, I encourage you to go witness and learn about this rare and diminishing handicraft firsthand and of course to support the arts! Enjoy and have a bowl!

How to get there
Address: Soi Baanbart, Bumrungmuang road. It's behind Wat Srakesa Rajavaramahavihara (Golden mountain)
Taxi: This is the best and only option that I recommend on getting there. Tell them Soi Baanbart near “Phoo Kao Tong” (Golden Mountain).