The Holy <i>Pravarana</i>: Wakens human qualities
THE Holy Pravarana Purnima is one of the greatest Buddhist festivals. The Buddhists of Bangladesh observe the holy day with due solemnity, religious dignity, freedom and fervour. This year, the Pravarana is more significant and meaningful because we have observed two other national religious festival, the holy Eid-ul-Fitr and the Saradiya Durgapuja of the two major communities, Muslim and Hindu, respectively, with religious festivity.
According to Vinaya Pitaka, the sacred Buddhist text, the festival is observed in the month of Ashwin, and is also known as Ashwini Purnima. The three months long rain-retreat, "Varshavasa," of the Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis (monks and nuns) starts in the Ashari Purnima and continues up to the Pravarana Purnima.
The breaking of the Varshavasa day is called Pravarana Purnima. On that day, the Buddha came down to this world after preaching the Abhidhamma to his mother and other gods in the Tavatimsa Heaven during Varshavasa. The Buddha advised his disciples to propagate the true Dharma on this day.
On this day, the Buddha delivered his first sermon: "Go, Ye O Bhikkhus! Wander forth for the gain of the many, for the welfare of many, in compassion for the world, for the good, for the gain, for the welfare of gods and men. Proclaim, O Bhikkhus! The doctrine which is glorious in the beginning, glorious in the middle, glorious in the end, in the spirit and in the latter, proclaims a consummate, perfect and pure life of holiness." Buddhism says: "Arise! Do not be heedless! Lead a righteous life. The righteous live happily both in this world and the next."
Pravarana means satisfaction of desire, fulfillment of wish, or the day of completion of study and meditation. Thus, Pravarana may be called the "Buddhist joy day" because it marks the end of the rain retreat and provides opportunity to earn merits.
The Pravarana signifies peace, harmony, brotherhood, tranquility and integrity for the welfare of mankind. The discrimination between a friend and a foe disappears on this day, and is replaced by mutual understanding, kindness and compassion.
After leading a pious life in Varshavasa, Buddhists feel happiness and spiritual pleasure. According to Abhiddharmic tradition, the Pravarana means abstention from all evil deeds and purity in all aspects of our life.
Dharma and morality are the .roots of all happiness of human beings. The Buddha says in the Dharmapada: "If a man does something good, let him do it again and again, Let him find joy in his good work, joyful is the accumulation of good work."
Dharma means that good law, virtue, good deed, and meditation lead to the truth. Morality means discipline, rules and regulations and ways or means. These two great virtues have reciprocal relationship. Through dharma and morality people can achieve all sorts of self-development and self-purity.
We know that, except human beings, all other beings of the world are born with their own habits or natures. As far as we know the beastly nature of the animals is inherent. They remain as they are. But humans are not born with humanity. They have to acquire humanity through great endeavour and zeal.
The specialty of a human being lies in his dharma. Dharma and character are complementary to each other. Through the observation of rules and regulations human beings become aware of social codes, discipline, rationality, etc.
The character of a human being has two sides, one is humanity and the other is beastiality. Humanly qualities develop with the enrichment of character, which depends on self-efforts. The rules laid down by the Buddha for the formation of character are known as Silas (Precepts). In the Vinaya Pitaka four types of Silas are mentioned -- the Pancasila, the Astasita, the Dasasila and the Bhikkhu Pratimokshasila. These rules lead to the path of goodness and prosperity, and are not only for the monks but also for lay disciples and for all human beings. He who abides by these rules possesses real humanity.
According to Buddhism, there are two qualities that a man should develop equally to be perfect -- compassion and wisdom. Buddha said: "He is the best person who embodies virtues and insight, who is principled, who has realised the truth, and who himself does what he ought to be doing."
Buddha encouraged and stimulated each person to develop himself and to work out his for own emancipation, for man has the power to liberate himself from all bondage through his own personal efforts and intelligence without help of any power.
He, who does bad deeds brings misfortune for himself. He tarnishes the environment of the society. He leads the family to destruction. He harms the state. He throws away humanity. Defilement of the mind gradually increases. He destroys self and others, and violates humanity at every step. So, Buddhism says: "Make haste and do what is good: keep your mind away from evil. If a man is slow in doing good his mind finds pleasure in evil."
So, for the enrichment and acquirement of humanity, disciplined life is a must.
Today, we hope to enter the 21st century with a better understanding of our common humanity and values. "Let us we say, in fine, it is sweet to enjoy a lifelong virtue; and a pure firm faith is sweet. It is sweet to attain wisdom; and to be free from sin is sweet." We say again: "Do not what is evil. Do what is good. Keep your mind pure. This is the eternal teaching of the Buddha." Sabbesattha Sukita hunto" (May all beings be happy).
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