A common Buddhist monastic practice at the end of Buddhist Lent that involves requesting guidance and expressing commitment to personal spiritual growth, which can be applied for self-improvement and promoting well-being in a wider society.

Introduction

The End of Buddhist Lent in 2024 falls on the full moon day of the 11th lunar month, which will be Thursday, October 17, 2024. This marks the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent[1] period during which Buddhist monks remain in their monasteries. This article will discuss the meaning and importance of the End of Buddhist Lent in Thailand and some other Buddhist countries, activities Buddhists observe on this day, and how to apply the practice (called Pavarana in Pali[2]) for self-improvement, community harmony and promoting well-being in a wider society.

 

The Meaning of Pavarana

The End of Buddhist Lent refers to the last day of the monks’ retreat. On this day, monks perform a monastic ceremony called “Pavarana,” hence it’s also called “Pavarana Day” (or Invitation Day.)

“Pavarana” is a Pali word meaning “inviting feedback” or “allowing oneself to be admonished” or “opening oneself to admonishment.” It’s the name of the sangha[3] ceremony performed on the last day of the Buddhist Lent.

 

Historical Context

According to Buddhist tradition here, the Buddha was once staying at the Migaramatupasada[4], and on the day of the pavarana, he summoned the five hundred arahants[5] who were with him and asked if they had any fault to find with him. Sariputta, the Buddha’s chief disciple, spoke on behalf of the monks, praising the Buddha. In return, the Buddha spoke of Sariputta‘s greatness and the blamelessness of the arahants.

 

The purpose of the Pavarana practice is multifaceted, including:

1. To ultimately alleviate and dissolve any suspicions or misunderstandings that may have arisen.
2. To serve as a means of reconciliation, offering an opportunity for healing relationships strained by conflicts within the community.
3. To foster unity and harmony among members, encouraging close-knit relationships.
4. To promote equality in expressing thoughts, opinions, and constructive criticism, without being hindered by seniority (length of time ordained as a monk) or age.
5. To cultivate brotherhood, characterized by feelings of friendship, goodwill, and mutual care.

 

The Pavarana Practice

Traditionally, the Pavarana method involves all monks who stayed for the retreat gathering in the ubosatha (ordination hall). They recite the Pavarana verse together and then individually. The essence of the Pavarana verse is:

“I invite admonishment from the Sangha, based on what has been seen, heard, or suspected. May the venerable ones admonish me out of compassion. Seeing my fault, I shall make amends.”

If a monk spent the retreat alone, he should be mindful that this is Pavarana Day and resolve to strictly follow the Dhamma-Vinaya, the teachings of the Buddha. If he realizes he’s broken any monastic rules, he should correct himself and not repeat the mistake.

The Buddha praised and admired those who make mistakes and then correct them, saying “Mistakes corrected make one shine like the moon beaming out of a bank of clouds.”

Modern Observances: The End of Buddhist Lent Festival

Theravada Buddhists in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos place great importance on the End of Buddhist Lent. They organize various activities often referred to as the “End of Buddhist Lent Festival.” This festival typically covers two days: the End of Buddhist Lent day and the following day.

 

 

 

Activities during this festival include:

1. Offering alms-food to monks
2. Observing five or eight precepts
3. Listening to the Maha Chat sermon (เทศน์มหาชาติ) about the Great Birth Stories of the Buddha or Jataka in Pali
4. Dedicating merit to deceased relatives
5. Participating in the Tak Bat Devo alms-giving ceremony (ตักบาตรเทโว) (or Devorohana in Pali), on the day after, which traditionally involves offering sticky rice
6. In Northeastern Thailand, floating illuminated boat processions on the Mekong River

 

 

 

During the month following the End of Buddhist Lent, Theravada Buddhists typically participate in Kathina[6] robe-offering ceremonies at various temples. Kathina is a significant ceremony in which Buddhists offer new robes to monks. It is believed that offering Kathina robes to the Sangha is a great meritorious act that can lead to blessings and spiritual growth.

 

Applying Pavarana in Daily Life

The principle of Pavarana can be applied by everyone, not just monks, for self-improvement, community harmony and the benefit of those around them. Here are some ways to incorporate this practice:

1. Family Pavarana: On the last day of Buddhist Lent, lay Buddhists can invite family members to kindly point out any incorrect actions they’ve observed or suspected. This creates an opportunity for open communication and personal growth.
2. Regular Check-ins: Extend this practice beyond the annual observance. For example, at the end of each month, week, or even day, couples, parents and children, or friends could engage in a “pavarana” with each other.
3. Community Practice: Expand the “principle of pavarana” to a broader scale – in villages, districts, or provinces. This could foster a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement in society.
4. Workplace Implementation: Organizations could adopt a version of this practice, encouraging employees to give and receive constructive feedback in a spirit of mutual growth and improvement.

 

The benefits of the Pavarana practice are numerous, including:

 

1. It helps to eliminate and dispel all suspicions.
2. Individuals become aware of their own shortcomings and are motivated to improve themselves.
3. People have the opportunity to seek forgiveness from one another, let go of grievances, and cultivate love and goodwill. This fosters harmonious coexistence.

 

Universal Application

While rooted in Buddhist tradition, the practice of Pavarana can be adapted and applied universally, even by those of different faiths or no faith at all. The core principles of openness to kind feedback, willingness to improve, and compassionate communication are valuable in any context.

 

 

For example, in a secular workplace, team members could have regular “feedback circles” where they invite constructive criticism from colleagues. In interfaith communities, leaders from different religious backgrounds could come together annually to reflect on their interactions and invite respectful feedback from one another.

 

Conclusion

The Buddha advised viewing those who admonish us out of goodwill and compassion as people who point out hidden treasures. He taught us to associate with such people because associating with them brings only benefits, no harm.

By embracing the spirit of Pavarana – openness to feedback and commitment to self-improvement and community harmony – we can foster personal growth, strengthen relationships, and contribute to a more harmonious society. Whether practiced in its traditional Buddhist context or adapted for other settings, the principle of Pavarana offers a powerful tool for individual and collective betterment.

 

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[1] Read the author’s article “Buddhist Lent: A Season of Spiritual Well-being and Improvement” here.

[2] Middle Indo-Aryan language used in Theravada Buddhism.

[3] In this context, the Sangha refers to the community of monks. In some other contexts, the Sangha may also include lay followers.

[4] The name of monastery erected by Visakha Migaramata, chief female patron of the Buddha in the Pubbarama, a park outside the eastern gate of Savatthi city.

[5] In Theravada Buddhism, an arahant is a person who has eliminated all the unwholesome roots that underlie the fetters. They will attain Nibbana upon death, having finally dissolved the bonds that bind a person to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

[6] Read the author’s article “Kathina – Annual Buddhist Robe Presentation” here.

 

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References:

1. https://84000.org/ ปวารณาสูตร ว่าด้วยการปวารณา (translated into) Pavarana Sutta.
2. วันมหาปวารณา วันที่พระภิกษุสงฆ์ทุกรูปเปิดโอกาสให้ว่ากล่าวตักเตือนกันได้ : พุทธประวัติ – วันสำคัญในพระพุทธศาสนา (dmc.tv) (translated into) Maha Pavarana Day, the day when all monks have the opportunity to be advised and admonished: Buddhist History – An Important Day in Buddhism.
3. https://en.wikipedia.org
4. www.wisdomlib.org
5. https://spiritualculture.org
6. Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero. Treasury of Truth, Illustrated Dhammapada.
7. Buddhaghosacharya, Somdet Phra (Payutto, P. A.). (2022). สมเด็จพระพุทธโฆษาจารย์ (ป.อ. ปยุตฺโต). พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๕. พจนานุกรมพุทธศาสตร์ ฉบับประมวลศัพท์ (translated into) The Buddhist Dictionary. ISBN974-575-029-8.

 

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Author: Paitoon Songkaeo, Ph.D.

Transitioning from a Buddhist monk to a diplomat, Paitoon Songkaeo is the Administrative Director of the Thailand Foundation. With a background of 16 years as a Buddhist monk, he later joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and retired as the Consul-General of Kota Baru in Malaysia in 2017. Additionally, he is a regular contributor to the Spiritual Values & Meditation section.

 

Uploaded on October 15, 2024