The foot-traveling Sangha left Sankissa with the goal of reaching Sāvatthi on February 1st, 2023. Walking on a treacherous path in freezing temperatures and chilling rain, we stumbled and fell multiple times as we navigated through mud and potholes filled with water. The rain became heavier, drenching my robes. The three-layered Saṅghāṭi on my shoulder, normally weighing 4 kg, became even heavier as it absorbed the rain. Those with the flu used tarps to keep themselves warm, but I knew that could only offer limited protection.
 
Heavy steps in the cold rain and the chilly air made me reflect more on the Buddha’s teachings about offering the Kaṭhina robe to the Sangha. During one of his stays at Jetavana, a monastery offered by the layman Anāthapiṇḍika in the Sāvatthi city, a group of 30 monks who practiced austerities (dhutaṅga) from Pāvā decided to visit the Buddha and pay their respects. They embarked on the journey by foot and eventually arrived in Sāketa on June 16th (dates mentioned in the journal are based on the Lunar Calendar). Coincidentally, this was also the day the Sangha entered the three-month rain retreat (vassāvāsa), requiring them to stay in one location, so the monks remained in Sāketa for the entire duration.
 
The three-month rain retreat (vassāvāsa) concluded on September 15th in the Lunar Calendar, and the group completed the Pavāraṇā ceremony (an invitation to colleagues to offer each other admonishments regarding any offenses committed during the three-month retreat) on the same day. The next morning, on the 16th, they resumed their journey toward Sāvatthi. Despite the end of the rainy season, there was still drizzling rain, and the roads were muddy and filled with puddles. Their robes were soaked and covered in mud, but they persevered through the physical challenges and finally arrived at Jetavana, where they paid homage to the Buddha.
 
The Buddha greeted the 30 monks from Pāvā with the following questions.
 
‘How is your health? Are things going well for you?’
 
After inquiring about their health, the Buddha preached the Dhamma to them. After hearing the Buddha’s teachings, they attained Arahantship. Subsequently, the Buddha permitted the monks to receive the Kathina robes and five privileges after they had finished the three-month rain retreat (vassāvāsa).
 
1- Anāmantacāra: When invited, a monk may leave the monastery without informing other monks, without committing an offense.
 
2- Asamādānacāra: The monk is allowed to separate from his set of three robes, without committing an offense.
 
3- Ganabhojana: The monk is allowed to participate in a meal with a group of at least four monks, regardless of the name of the food mentioned by the donors, without committing an offense.
 
4- Yāvadatthacīvara: The monk has the freedom to possess and store as many robes as desired for over ten nights, without committing an offense.

5- Yo ca tattha cīvaruppāda: The monk has the exclusive right to receive Sanghika robes (belonging to the Sangha) at the monastery where he entered the rainy retreat.
 
In the past, some people wore Saṅghāṭi robes with up to seven layers, so it is easy to see how they could become so heavy after absorbing water. We stopped and went for alms in the rain. The air was much colder. The hot soup warmed the alms bowl and the two hands holding it. Everything else was cold. We sat and ate, shivering, with spoonfuls of rice and soup mixed with rainwater. What a rich experience in monastic life!

#chuahuongdao #chuahuongdaotemple #sbsstupas
#buddha #buddhism #Dhutanga #dhammajourney
 
Source: Dhammacetiya