The importance of Vas retreat
The Vas (rains retreat) for Buddhist bhikkhus/bhikkhunis (monks/nuns) that began with the Esala Poya in July will end with Vap Poya on October 6. The Kathina Chivara Masaya (robes month) will begin with the Vap Poya and continue for one month ending with the Il Full Moon Poya in November.
Pera vas is when the monks start their retreat the day after the Esala Poya. The monks who were unable to start the Vas retreat in July will observe their Vas retreat as pasu vas, one month later in August with Nikini Poya. However, the pasu vas monks are not be offered the Kathina Chivara (robe), only the Upasampada (high ordained) bhikkhus who observe the vas retreat in their aramayas or temples.
The practice of Vas (rains retreat) was established by the Buddha as he was criticised particularly by Jains and people of other faiths, that Buddhist bhikkhus continue on their Pindapatha (alms rounds) and visit other monasteries during the rainy season which caused killing of insects and destroying plants by unintentionally treading on them, thus harming the environment. The Buddha made the three months of Vas (rainy season retreat) mandatory for all higher ordained bhikkhus requiring them to stay in a fixed residence – in their monastery and focus on meditation, learning and spiritual practice.
Theravada Buddhist countries in South East Asia follow this practice with the Vas Aradhana, the traditional invitation ceremony by devotees requesting the bhikkhus/bhikkhunis to reside in their temples or aramayas during the rainy season. During this period the bhikkhus’ essential needs of the ‘siv pasa’ - senasana, chivara, pindapatha, gilanapassana - shelter, robes, food and medicinal needs are provided by the dayakas( lay devotees). The bhikkhus, by arranging Dhamma sermons, meditation practice and religious discussions provide an opportunity for the community for intensive spiritual practice and learning.
The Vas retreat covers three months and concludes with the vas pavaranawa (ending of the retreat). Thereafter with the Vap Poya, the Kathina Chivara ceremonies with religious rituals and cultural events commence and continue for one month. This is known as the Chivara Masaya (robes month)with devotees offering new Kathina robes to the bhikkhus, believing it will bring great merit for themselves.
There are age-old rituals involved in the making of the Kathina Chivara. A white cloth is brought to the temple on the day of the Kathina Pinkama, cut into pieces, and then stitched into a robe for a bhikkhu, as part of a meritorious ritual known as the Kathina ceremony. The cloth is cut and stitched to resemble fields of paddy with ridges designed to get rid of Tanha (or craving) and to discourage people from stealing the robe.
The stitched white cloth is respectfully carried by a devotee on their head to be washed. The devotee is followed by people bearing Buddhist flags, drummers and dancers. This follows the ritual of ‘padugaseema’ – staining the cloth with a dye. Once the Kathina Chivara is made ready, it is folded and taken into the temple and placed until the Sanghika Dana (alms for monks) is offered to the bhikkhus. Thereafter, a chief bhikkhu delivers a discourse on the merits of offering a Kathina Chivara followed by another bhikkhu delivering a Dhamma sermon. The bhikkhus who observed Vas must decide who among them should receive the Kathina Chivara. Only the Upasampada bhikkhus are permitted to remain in the hall – the Samanera monks must leave during the presentation of the robe.
The bhikkhu who receives the Kathina Chivara has five privileges but only for five months after he receives the robe. He can leave the temple without informing anyone, he can possess any number of robes, all the sangeeka pirikara (offerings received) can be kept for himself – others have to distribute them), he can wear the Andana and one other robe (others have to wear the thun sivura - andanaya, thanipota sivura and depata sivura).
The Kathina ceremony is important as it celebrates the interdependence of the Sangha and the lay community.
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