Smoking a bowl is usually done with a hand pipe, but can refer to any form of igniting and inhaling dry herbs (bongs, chillums, etc). The bowl itself is the round basin of the pipe.
Once you have ground your dry herb with a grinder, fill the bowl to your liking. Do not necessarily pack it as fully or tightly as possible, as this can restrict airflow.
Most pipes have a small hole on one side called a “carb.” Light the herb with a small lighter and inhale gently, plugging and releasing the carb. This controls the flow of air to the dry herb and controls the burn.
The smoke you inhale is called a “hit.” Many first-timers do not fully inhale properly and waste their hits as a result, so ensure that your breath is deep and full. Some people recommend you hold the hit for up to 30 seconds, but this is not necessary as long as you have fully inhaled.
You may cough. This is normal and just the way it is. Even the most experienced smokers cough frequently— this is how you know you have gotten a good and proper hit.