1. UPSC Civil Services
  2. Preliminary
  3. Ancient History
  4. In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries,

In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a ceremony called Pavarana used to be held. It was the:

(a) occasion to elect the Sanghparinayaka and two speakers one on Dhamma and the other on Vinaya
(b) confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season
(c) ceremony of initiation of new person into the Buddhist Sangha in which the head is shaved and when yellow robes are offered
(d) gathering of Buddhist monks on the next day to the full-moon day of Ashadha when they take up a fixed abode for the next four months of the rainy season

Ans: (b) confession by monks of their offences committed during their stay in the monasteries during the rainy season

Explanation:Pavarana is a Buddhist holy day celebrated onthe full moon of the eleventh lunar month. It marksthe end of the month of Vassa, sometimes called”Buddhist Lent.” This day marks the end of the rainyseason in some Asian countries like Thailand, whereTheravada Buddhism is practiced. On this day, eachmonk (Pali: bhikkhu) must come before the communityof monks (Sangha) and atone for an offense he mayhave committed during the Vassa.