The End of Buddhist Lent or Rains retreat means the expiry of three months’ retreat through rigorous practice of the rules of the monk’s discipline (Vinaya in Pali) by the monks in fixed residence during the three months of the rainy season, which begins roughly from the middle of July to middle of October.
Vassa goes back to the time of Lord Buddha. The origin of Vassa tells us that at the start of rainy season in India (which more or less corresponds which that in Asian), the time of year when the farmers have been busy ploughing and planting, some farmer once complained to Lord Buddha that the wadering monks are trampling crops and ruining them. On hearing this the Bddha made a rule that during the rains the monks must remain whithin their abode (or Vihara in Pali) and stop travelling far and wide. They have to take a vow to enter the rains retreat on the first day of the new moon of the eight lunar month untill the end of full moon day of the eleventh lunar calendar. The day immediately after the Buddhist lent is know (in Pali) as Pavarana Mahapavarana Day. On this day, the monks must perform “Pavarana”. It is specail ceremony for the monks in which each monk has to allow other monks to criticise him with merciful intention concerning what they have seen, listened to or doubted about his behaviour. The Pavarana Day is celebrated as a Holy day for the following reason:
1. The Buddhist monks have received permission from the Buddha to stay overnight in other places.
2. After the retreat monks travel in different directions to preach the newly-found knowledge and experience to the people.
3. Monks perform Pavarana by allowing other monks to criticise them with merciful intention in order to cultivate purity, respect and harmony among the members of the Sangha community.
4. The Lay Buddhists can follow and practise the teaching of Pavarana to improve themselves and develop human society.
It is said that when the Buddha entered the rain retreat at Jetavana in Savatthi (Sracasti) monks separared themselves from one another to enter the rains retreat at the temple on July. They were afraid that they might develop differences and would continue to argue during the three months’ retreat. So they set the regulation that they would not converse with one-another, but at the end of retreat they met the Buddha at Jetavana and reported their deeds. The Buddha blamed them for the monks the Buddha said: “O Monks! I have allowed you, who have entered doubting to perform suitable activitiy on Pavarana day”.
According on this day monks perform Pavarana instead of listening to Patimokkha (Discipline for monks), and Lay Buddhists celebrated this day as a Holy day. They usually visit the temples to make merit, observe the precepts (five or eight) and listen to discourse on Dhamma. Finally, monks chant the doctrine to leave Vassa (rains retreat) and End of Buddhist Lent.
No comments:
Post a Comment