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Published: April 9th 2010
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I attended the inaugural "Collective Ceremony of Monks Ordination and Novices Novitiation" at the Panditarama Meditation Centre at Smithfield. My friends Sandar and Ohnmar (otherwise known as "The Boss"), sent me an invitation to the event and it sounded very interesting.
This afternoon the potential novices and monks moved about the grounds of the centre in procession. This was followed by head shaving and then a ceremony where the potential novices and monks asked permission of Sayadaw to wear the saffron robes. The monks then assisted the potential novices and monks to dress themselves correctly in the robes.
Also, Sayadaw explained the 10 precepts that novices and monks must adhere to. The ten precepts are:
1. Refrain from taking lives.
2. Refrain from taking what is not given.
3. Refrain from un-chastity.
4. Refrain from false speech.
5. Refrain from taking intoxicants.
6. Refrain from taking food at inappropriate time.
7. Refrain from dancing, singing playing music and watching entertainment programs.
8. Refrain from using perfume, cosmetics, wearing of garland.
9. Refrain from using high chairs and sleeping on luxurious beds.
10. Refrain from touching/accepting money).
Sayadaw also checked that the novices could saw and pronounce the
various Pali words correctly that are used in the chanting. Sayadaw explained the precepts and gave all other instructions in Burmese to ensure that the young novices could understand their ancestral language.
The potential novices and monks were given names as well that they would use during their time at the centre. Sayadaw U Pinnassara read out each persons name they were given and had them repeat it while standing. A bit like the taking of a religious name when someone is ordained in the Catholic Church I think.
The young novices will stay at the centre for 3 days; most of them have their fathers staying also. The potential monks will stay at the centre for 7 to 10 days depending on their other commitments. From what I was told Burmese Buddhists must do this at least twice in their lives.... children have to do this once before adulthood and then once again when they are adults. In Burma they would be required to stay at the temple or monastery for a full month.
I think it is great that the Australian born children get this opportunity to participate in the ceremony and experience a part
of their Burmese culture that they might otherwise miss. It definitely seemed like the kind of event that a young boy would remember for the rest of his life.
There were 22 potential novices and 11 potential monks.
As always, the members of the Panditarama Centre made me feel very welcome. It is a friendly place to visit and you will find that you are surrounded by people who are only too happy to explain what some of the ceremonies or chanting, etc means and to also explain other aspects of Buddhism to you in a very friendly way. The Panditarama Centre is located at 70 Market Street in Smithfield.
Tomorrow at the centre the monks will attend an ordination ceremony, plus some other ceremonies and a Dhamma talk by Sayadaw U Pannathami - the Abbot of the centre.
I hope that my photos give some idea of how good the atmosphere and events were today.
(Ohnmar/Sandar if I have any of the details wrong please tell me so I can edit this and correct. Ohnmar - remind me next year of my comment that "as an adult I better do this at least once"
- thanks for inviting me.)
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Michael Dine
non-member comment
This event really sounds fascinating rob. You are fortunate to have found such special people and developed a meaningful relationship with them. The Centre is a definite must visit for Hang and I when we return at the end of the year!