Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 79

58 STUDIES İN BUDDHIST AND JAINA MONACHISM
Besides, a permanent transfer of the residence observing the retreat was also allowed to them in case of danger or trouble to their physical or moral life.1
The place where the mendicants intended to keep retreat must be free from inconveniences and dangers to life. Accordingly a hollow tree, branches of a tree, a house for dead bodies, a sun-shade, an eart hen vessel and open sky were declared unfit for observing retreat. An addhayoga, a vihara, a hammiya, an attic and a cave were regarded as the best places for keeping retreat. Next to these were a cattlepen, a caravan and a ship. But these places were not completely reliable and much less suited to all types of persons."
Monks were admonished to observe the retreat with their companions 3 But they must not neglect the interests of lay-devotees on that account. As such the promise made with a lay-devotee to keep the retreat at his house was in no case to be broken. The retreat started at a lay-devotee's house was deemed invalid if the monk leaving the place of retreat did not return within the stipulated period.4
Before summing up, it may be noted that the monks performed the sangha-kammas (tansactions of the order) as usual and did not allow to suffer them on account of the stagnant life during the rains. Thus the institution of the retreat not only relieved the Buddhists of the strenuous journey of the rainy season but also provided them an oppotunity for moral edification.
Pavārana : Pavāranā is the name given to the first u posatha held just after the end of the rain-retreat. This interpretation of pavārana is evidenced by the fact that the details as regards pavāraņā are almost similar to those of the uposatha. Thus confession of one's offence committed during the vassä is the only purpose of celebrating the pavārana.
(d) Monastic administration Church Units : The spread of the Buddhist faith to far and wide and the increase in the number of mendicants led the Buddha to divide his priesthood in small units and appoint officers for their control. Prominent among these units were sangha, and gana.
1. MV, 3. 7. 17-18, pp. 155-57, 2. Ibid, 3 9-10. 20-2', pp, 158-59; 2, 19. 32, p. 121. 3. DN, Vol. II, p. 79. 4. MV, 3. 12. 24-25, pp. 161-64.