Everyday Oryoki Set

Description

Our Everyday Oryoki set is perfect for daily use at home or taking on retreats. It includes a set of 3 nesting bowls made from melamine, a durable plastic, chopsticks, spoon, a cleaning stick (setsu), utensil cloth container, place mat, and cloth napkin. You may add a silicone spatula for $6. The spatula is dishwasher safe, and the silicone tip is removable.

Oryoki is a meditative form of eating that evolved in the Buddhist monasteries of China and Japan. Oryoki means “just enough” and refers both to the simple and efficient form of eating as well as the taking of enough food to keep one’s practice strong.

The utensils include a spoon, chopsticks, and traditional setsu scraper.  The chopsticks are ironwood, and made in Japan.  The spoon and setsu are palmwood, and made in Thailand.  Instructions for traditional setsu assembly and two squares of cloth are included.

The cloths include a wrapping cloth, wiping cloth, utensil sleeve, and top cloth. They are 100% cotton and come in black, navy blue, white, grey, or burgundy.

The bowls are dishwasher safe and the wood utensils are best hand washed.

Cloths:

21.5″x11″
18″x18″
13″x13″

Utensil Sleeve:  11″x3″

Ironwood Chopsticks:  9″
Spatula:  8″

FAQs – Everyday Oryoki Set

What is oryoki? Oryoki is a meditative form of eating that originated in the Buddhist monasteries of China and Japan. The word means “just enough,” referring both to the efficient, ritualized form of eating and to the practice of taking only what one needs to sustain practice. It is widely used in Zen retreat settings.

What is included in the set? The set includes three nesting melamine bowls, ironwood chopsticks made in Japan, a palmwood spoon and setsu scraper made in Thailand, a utensil sleeve, wrapping cloth, wiping cloth, top cloth, placemat, and cloth napkin. Instructions for traditional setsu assembly are included, along with two squares of cloth. An optional silicone spatula is available for an additional $6.

What are the bowls made from? The bowls are made from melamine, a durable plastic that holds up well to daily use. They are dishwasher safe. Some practitioners prefer lacquer or wooden bowls for a more traditional feel — our Everyday set prioritizes durability and affordability for daily home use and retreats.

How do I care for the utensils and cloths? The bowls are dishwasher safe. The wood utensils — chopsticks, spoon, and setsu — are best hand washed to preserve the wood. The cloths are 100% cotton and machine washable.

What colors are available? The cloths come in black, navy blue, white, grey, and burgundy.

Is this set appropriate for formal retreat use? Yes. Several customers use it at sesshins and meditation retreats. It’s designed to be practical and portable — the bowls nest together and the whole set wraps compactly in the carrying cloth.

How big are the bowls? The three bowls nest together for compact storage and transport.

What is the setsu, and how is it used? The setsu is a traditional scraper used in oryoki practice to clean the bowls after eating. Instructions for assembly and use are included with the set.