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Aspiring monks, practicing the Buddhist religion, have many guidelines to follow in order to reach their ultimate goal of being a monk. ... One ceremony that all monks are required to participate in is called the Pavarana ceremony. The Pavarana ceremony is important to the development of the monk because it allows the monk to realize his own faults and to accept criticism from his fellow monks before departing on his own.
Before the Pavarana ceremony is held, all aspiring monks or Bhikkhus, are required to attend a retreat, requiring them to live together for three months, during the rainy season. ... Because the monk may not bring up accusations of another monk during the Vassa residence or uposatha days, “the Buddha allowed that, once a year, at the end of the Rains-residence, bhikkhus who have observed the Rains without break may replace one uposatha observance with an Invitation (Pavarana).” (The Buddhist Monastic Code II: Chapter 16) “The Buddha ordered the institution of Pavarana.” (Tieken, 271) As Buddha says in the Vinaya Texts, “I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the Bhikkhus, when they have finished their Vassa residence, hold Pavarana with each other in these three ways: by what has been seen, or by what has been heard, or by what is suspected.
Approximate Word count = 956
Approximate Pages = 3.8
(250 words per page double spaced)
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