‘Vinaya Sangayana’ to be held in Anuradhapura from July 4 to 7

In an attempt to protect Vinaya, a complete ‘Vinaya Sangayana’ (Vinaya Recitation) will be held for the third time in Sri Lanka from July 4-7 at Saddhathissarama Faculty of Monastic Pariyatti, in Anuradhapura, with the participation of about 200 Bhikkhus from all three main lineages.

An important Vinaya discussion on several important topics, a Vinaya recitation learned by heart, an examination of Vinaya learned by heart also will be held during these days. This is an important function for the whole Buddhasasana that ensures the long lasting of the doctrine of the Buddha, Event Organiser Royal Pandith, Thripitaka Visarada, Dhammakittisara Ven. Mahawa Gnanaloka Thera said.

According to the Ven. Thera, since early Maha Theras have mentioned that the Vinaya (discipline) is the life of the Buddhasasana (Buddha’s dispensation), all the disciples of the Buddha who expect the long life of the dispensation must use Vinaya Pitaka by way of listening, memorising, oral practicing, contemplating, and understanding the meanings and the reasons by the wisdom.

“The Buddha has guided us in several discourses that his doctrine should be preserved by way of these traditional educational methods. Early senior Bhikkhus brought Dhamma and Vinaya from the past to the present by way of memorising and time-to-time recitations. It is evident in the history of the Buddhasasana that early Bhikkhus have recited Dhamma and Vinaya not only to protect it for the future but also for their Dhamma realisation,” the Thera said.

Ven. Thera stressed that the present-day Bhikkhus also have a responsibility to protect Dhamma and Vinaya for the future by following the earlier Bhikkhus by way of memorising and recitation. ‘Vinaya Sangayana’ is an attempt to practice this traditional guidance of the Buddha on the study of Tipitaka and to take a new step to start the early approach towards the preservation of Tipitaka.

“According to the Samantapasadika, the commentary to Vinaya Pitaka, Bhikkhus who follow the Buddha’s guidance and follow the path way to Nibbana should recite all the Vinaya precepts stated by the Buddha. Not only recite, but also should learn, memorise and teach the others for the preservation of Vinaya rules. When Vinaya is preserved, the Buddha’s dispensation is also preserved,” the Thera said.

Samantapasadika, the commentary to Vinaya Pitaka quotes the Most Ven. Maha Paduma Thera that “While the teachers are existing, Vinaya Pitaka and its commentary should not be given away just by having learned, always should be listened, annually should be recited, isn’t it?”. Accordingly, annual recitation of Vinaya Pitaka is a vital event to ensure the preservation of Vinaya Pitaka, and to ensure the long lasting of Buddhasasana.

In ancient history, the doctrine of the Buddha was protected by early senior monks by way of frequent recitation and such other preservation methods. The orthodox way of Tipitaka education involves the oral practice which means frequent reciting and memorising. Therefore, in order to ensure the long lasting of the Buddha’s dispensation, Vinaya recitation is important. The Most Ven. Mahapaduma Thera emphasises this by guiding us to recite the whole Vinaya Pitaka annually.

Therefore, because of the motivation resulting in the above quotation of the Most Ven. Mahapaduma Thera, from the year 2022, a recitation of Vinaya Pitaka was started in the ancient city Anuradhapura having participated in Bhikkhus who follow the Vinaya. There is very rare evidence of reciting the whole Vinaya Pitaka in Sri Lanka after the council held in Matale in the era of King Valagamba.

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