San Mu Bu Pm GBM 2 Pc 74An Invitation for Four Months
Pāli / Sanskrit:Catumāsappaccayapavāraṇā
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The Discourse on an Invitation for Four Months (Catumāsappaccayapavāraṇā)
Background
The Catumāsappaccayapavāraṇā discourse, or "An Invitation for Four Months," belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, found in the Pātimokkha and the regulations concerning Pavarāna, the invitation to speak of faults. This is an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the laws governing the life of study and practice in the Buddhist Sangha.
The context arose from the practical needs of the Sangha: during the rainy season (vassa), bhikkhus had to gather in one place for concentrated study and practice. However, in certain special cases, a bhikkhu might ask permission to stay elsewhere for four months (catumāsa), that is, the three months of the rains plus one additional month. This text regulates the manner of announcing the invitation for such a case, ensuring transparency and observance of the law.
Main Content
Catumāsappaccayapavāraṇā states clearly the official procedure that the Sangha must perform when approving a bhikkhu or a group of bhikkhus to reside separately for four months. Instead of following the common Uposatha, the observance day, they will have their own Uposatha and Pavarāna.
This invitation (pavāraṇā) must be officially announced before the entire Sangha. The legal text gives model declarations (anussati), in which the announcer, usually an appointed bhikkhu, must express clearly the purpose, duration, and conditions. This invitation must be legally approved by the Sangha, usually through silence (tuṇhībhāva) or corresponding assent.
The discourse also especially emphasizes that bhikkhus outside the invited group are not to be considered in violation of the rule, so long as the procedure has been carried out properly. This reflects the principle of fairness and clarity in the Vinaya Piṭaka: whoever is exempted from a requirement must be clearly informed so that injustice is avoided.
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