Pavarana One Day Full Moon Retreat | Sun 5th October 2025 | End of Rains Retreat

Mahā Pavāraṇā ('Great Invitation') Full Moon marks the end of the rains retreat (vassa) for the monks.

(Though we do the one day retreat on Sun 05/10, the reall full moon for the monks' ceremony is on Tue 07/10, and vassa formally ends the next day at dawn of Wed 08/10)

On that full moon day, the sangha does not recite the Pāṭimokkha (227 main monastic rules for bhikkhus), but instead they invite each other for instructive criticism in case any member of the resident sangha has seen, heard or reasonably suspects any of his fellow monks to have committed any offenses (without making amends in the appropriate way).

As the monks have lived together for three months during the retreat period, they come to know each other quite well, and the full moon in October is therefore a suitable occasion for mutual admonition. It also means that any issues can be settled before the monks start travelling again, so everyone can depart with a 'clean slate', and without any lingering recriminations of doubts.

Even though normally the Pavāraṇā Ceremony is more of a formality (if there really are any issues, the monks would usually try to resolve them informally before the ceremony anyhow), it's still a valuable reminder for us all to open up to feedback and constructive criticism by well-meaning and knowlegeable persons.

Is is so difficult to see one's own weaknesses and shortcomings, but quite easy to recognize them in others. Consequently, feedback and criticism based on loving kindness, compassion & thorough knowledge of the Buddha's teaching and discipline can be an invaluable opportunity to see through one's own delusions and actually improve oneself.

Nidhīnaṃva pavattāraṃ,  yaṃ passe vajjadassinaṃ. 

Niggayhavādiṃ medhāviṃ, 

tādisaṃ paṇḍitaṃ bhaje. 

Tādisaṃ bhajamānassa, 

seyyo hoti na pāpiyo.

Like showing us some hidden gold,

is he who points out our faults

and wisely gives admonishment.

Please follow such a prudent friend;

hang on to him and you will soon

become much better, and not worse.

[Dhammapada Verse #76]

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One Day Full Moon Retreat Program

Sunday 05 October at Dhammagiri

08:30 am

Arrival of participants at Dhammahall

Silent Meditation

09:00 am

Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem

Observance of 8 or 5 precepts

 Guided Meditation

10:00 am

Preparation of food for Almsoffering

10:30 am

Almsoffering

Anumodanā & Blessing

Shared Meal

11:50 am

Dhamma-Talk, Q&A

01.00 pm Break / Walking Meditation

01:30 pm

Sutta Chanting

Silent Meditation

03:00 pm

Evening Chanting

Guided / Silent Meditation

& Short Dhamma Reflection

05.00 pm

End of program

• The ceremony at 9.00 am is not just for those observing 8 precepts as it includes the option of taking only 5 precepts

• Please observe Noble Silence out of consideration for yogis meditating all day. In particular, the back verandah is reserved only for those wishing to observe Nobel Silence

• It is possible to participate only for parts of the program, but please be seated in the Dhammahall at least 15 minutes before start of sessions. 

  
  

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"When, o monks, the Uposatha observance is complete in 8 factors,

it is of great fruit and great benefit, luminous and pervasive."

The Buddha in Anguttara Nikaya 8:41