(5) The Paccavekkhana

The next is paccavekkhana^[1] that is introspection on the use of the four requisites.

(i) Civara:—The disciple wears the civara only to protect himself /herself from extreme cold or hot, harmful insects, unbearable wind or sun-rays, serpents etc. Moreover, the civara is meant only to cover his / her nudity and not to arouse any of the 5 senses (of especially passion). Very often the yellow robe “of the Buddha or of a respectable monk is considered to be endowed with magical power as perfection against evil supernatural forces. Hence the ultimate protection for a victim to be ordained as a Buddhist monk to be able to don on the yellow monastic robe, even if for a temporary period. Such monk is known as Dullabha Rahan.”^[2]

(ii) Pindapata—In this section, the disciple learns the noble ways of getting and eating food. Through the recital, the disciple learns to avail food only by begging. Keeping in mind that the food is not meant for increasing vitality of body, but only to sustain his / her life.

(iii) Seyyasana—In this section, the disciple learns the noble ways of sleeping. Through the recital, the disciple understands the need of bed to protect himself / herself from extreme cold or hot, insects, serpents. Moreover, he or she comes to know that the bed or seat (asana) is meant only to serve the purpose of meditation and not meant for passing time lazily and by sleeping.

(iv) Gilana paccaya bhesajja-parikkharani.—In this section, the disciple learns about the awareness towards intake of medicines. The monks or nuns come to know the ideal fact that medicines were meant only to get relief from the disease or to get relief from different unbearable body pains.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

M.i.p.10;cf.A.ii.40;M.53

[2]:

Eleven Holy discourses of Protection Mahaparitta pali, Sao Htun Hmat win p-7.