IBC Celebrates Pavarana Day

(Oct. 10th, 2016) Pavarana is observed by the Saṅgha members at the end of three months rainy retreat (vassāvāsa), by inviting fellow saṅgha members to correct the mistakes which have been seen, heard or doubted. It is very important for the Buddhist saṅgha to observe this crucial day to end the three months retreat.

IBC, being the multi-cultural Buddhist institution, stays together with different background Buddhist schools. It is utmost important to observe this sacred day in order to lead a harmonious and friendly life.

Today, all IBC lecturers, staff and students sincerely share their experience and repentance and observe the Day by offering candles to the Buddha. In this auspicious day of Pavarana Ceremony we had students from Thailand, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherland, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Vietnam who chanted and shared the merits with all beings for world peace under the Bodhi tree.

In the sharing session Mr. Kazal Barua said: “I feel, this auspicious ceremony has the similarity like 2560 year ago when the Buddha gathered together with his disciples. But the difference in IBC is that we lecturers, staff and students are from all over the world gathering under the Bodhi tree, not only all sangha members but also lay members included.”

There are various symbols have been prescribed to the full moon. In India, the full moon is said to control the flow of all water in the universe. In the scientific realms, the moon is said to control tidal flow. In Buddhist ideology, full moon days maintain significance as a time for religious reflection.

From 20th July 2016, staffs and students of IBC have been observing their Vassa here, and today we celebrate the end of the Vassa with a reflection day of Pavarana with the witness of this beautiful moon under the Bodhi tree.

In this special auspicious ceremony, Mr. Liu Yong, a student from China, expresses his feeling and thanks his peers for helping him to overcome the difficulties and language barriers. Also, he would like to thank his Sri Lankan friends for helping him with Sanskrit. He wishes to thank his peers who care and concern him when he feels lonely and homesick. He also wants to thank IBC venerables and staff who helped him in time of need.