THE PAVARANA (INVITATION)

          The October month is to celebrate Pavarana for Buddhists all over the world.

This is a name for practicing one form of religious ceremony relating to giving the opportunity of mutual admonishment.   It can also be regarded as the mark of the end of the rains.  It is commonly understood as ‘invitation’ so that we hardly know the underlying meaning of this word. As a matter of fact, it is the relinquishment of one’s ego or self and giving the chance of having word of admonishment to others.  It is very obvious to those who are very selfish to ego centric or very much attached to themselves not give others the chance of having even a word of admonishment, suggestion, and advice.  All and all, he does not even want to ask others the question of ‘Any suggestion?’

As a worldly person, it is natural for us to be blind to our own faults since we naturally love ourselves most.  If we really love ourselves most we need to be very careful not to be blind to our own faults because this sense of love can blind us to the truth.  It is a great advantage to have co-resident monks who will help us to see the truth when we are in case of getting stuck in traps of some offences.  For this good and happiness of the Noble Order, the Buddha with boundless compassion, laid down this religious observation.  Overcoming one’s ego, therefore, is of overriding importance in the observance of this pavāraṇā ceremony as is in striving for the attainment of Nibbāna.

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NOTE: from my Vinaya study notes