What is an Oryoki bowl set?

Mindfulness during mealtime is the goal of Oryoki, a philosophy of Zen Buddhism that is more important today than ever before. In a world of fast food, Oryoki asks you to slow down. An Oryoki bowl set consists of three nested bowls, cloths, and accompanying utensils that are all at once, minimalist, functional, and symbolic. Oryoki comes from the Japanese words “o” “ryo” and “ki, meaning “just enough” or “vessel that contains just enough.” 

The phrase is a reminder to be aware of your own consumption and to be grateful for food as a vital, sustaining force. Using an Oryoki bowl set requires you to be active and attentive as you eat. 

Mindfulness at mealtimes

Traditionally, the largest of the three bowls is reserved for rice or another grain, which is the main dish. In more contemporary settings, this could also mean things like pasta or even a sandwich. The next bowl is for soup or salad, followed by a small bowl for side dishes, pickles, or condiments. You can, of course, use a bowl set consistent with your own dietary preferences.

The bowls are wrapped in a cloth napkin, which also serves as a placemat and drying cloth. The set includes utensils such as chopsticks, a spoon, and a cleaning stick known as a setsu or a small spatula. During formal Zen meals, individuals learn a deliberate and precise form for unpacking, arranging, and cleaning the bowls. At the end of the meal, the bowls are carefully nested and wrapped up in a cover cloth.

Today many people use Oryoki bowl sets with less strict formality, while maintaining the essential mindfulness of the practice. 

Oryoki bowl sets from Still Sitting

Still Sitting’ offers two styles of Oryoki bowl sets:

The Everyday Oryoki Set  is perfect for daily use at home or during meditation retreats. The set is crafted with durability and authenticity in mind. 

It includes:

• Three nesting melamine bowls
• Ironwood chopsticks (made in Japan)
• Palmwood spoon and setsu scraper
• 100% cotton cloths and utensil holder (your choice of color)
• Optional silicone spatula for easy handling (dishwasher safe)

These elements provide the basis for an authentic Oryoki experience that will support your journey toward mindful eating.

We also offer a premium Mahogany Bowl Oryoki Set, because nothing beats the look and feel of fine wooden bowls. The wood nesting bowls are light, sturdy, well-balanced, and feel great in your hand.

This set features:

• Three nesting mahogany wood bowls, sourced sustainably from Indonesia
• Ironwood chopsticks (made in Japan)
• Palmwood spoon and setsu scraper
• 100% cotton cloths and utensil holder (your choice of color)
• Optional silicone spatula for easy handling (dishwasher safe)

Cleaning and caring for your bowl set

At the end of your meal, you’ll want to thoroughly clean your bowl set and wrap it up for storage. Cleaning an Oryoki bowl set is a mindful and methodical process.  Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your Oryoki bowls. (And, of course, you can always wash your dishes in the sink if you need to!)

1. Prepare the cleaning materials:  You’ll need hot water, cleaning cloth (included in the set), and your setsu cleaning stick or spatula. Traditionally only hot water or tea is used to clean the bowls, but use a mild soap if you would like.
2. Rinse the Bowls: Start by rinsing each bowl with warm water to remove any food residues. 
3. Use the setsu or spatula: Traditionally, a cleaning stick is used to help remove stubborn food particles. Dip it in warm water and gently scrape the sides of the bowl to remove any stuck-on bits. Pour the wash water from one bowl to the next when finished.
4. Pour out the dirty water: Once you are finished with the washing process, pour the dirty water out in the sink or water your plant!
5. Dry the bowls: Use your cleaning cloth to dry each bowl thoroughly. If using soap, choose a mild one that won’t leave residues or harm the bowl’s surface. 
6. Rinse Again: After washing, rinse the bowls thoroughly with warm water to remove any soap. Ensure that no soap residue remains. If you are not using soap, you can skip this step and the next.
7. Dry the bowls again: Use your cleaning cloth to dry each bowl thoroughly.
8. Reassemble and Store: Once dry, reassemble the bowl set in the traditional nesting arrangement, with the largest bowl on the bottom. Wrap the set in the cloth napkin used during your Oryoki practice, and store it. 
9. Wash cloths as needed: Wash your cleaning cloth and cover cloth as needed with your laundry.

Additional notes on care:

Everyday Oryoki Set: The melamine plastic bowls are dishwasher safe, but please don’t use them in the microwave. Hand wash the palmwood utensils. The Oryoki cloths are 100% cotton. You can machine wash and dry them with your other laundry.

Mahogany Wood Oryoki Set: Please hand wash and dry the wood bowls and utensils. Do not microwave. The Oryoki cloths are 100% cotton and can be machine washed and dried with no problem.

More from the Still Sitting blog: Learn more about the actual practice of Oryoki and Mindful Eating.