Question: What is the origin of the four bowl style of eating?
Zen Master Seung Sahn: This style is from China. Originally, in Buddha's lifetime, there was only one bowl. In China, this style changed again. The four bowls are symbolic of the four elements - earth, air, fire, and water - and also of Buddha, dharma, sangha and mind. In Korea, they always use four bowls in the monastery; here we use four bowls during retreats and formal meals, but our American style is a little different from Korean monastery style.