Acarjyavatta - Antevasikavatta: The Practices for Creating Happiness among Buddhist Monks

Abstract

The objective of this academic article was to study Acariyavatta-Antevasikavatta: principles of practice for well-being of the Sangha. It is a doctrine and practice principle to create prosperity among the monks for a long time since the Buddha's time in the vattakhandaka. The Lord Buddha who is the Master has had assigned the duties, the rules of living for the monks by having taken up the principle "Ariyavatta and Antevasikavatta", which stipulates that the teachers must rule over the Antevasik as a guarantee that the persons who were ordained in Buddhism will certainly receive an education according to Trisikkha. The stipulation that both sides perform duties against each other is for the sake of benefit, that is to reduce the disciples’ Ditthimana to have respect for the teachers which will be easier to practice and develop in other areas and for both sides to support each other. There will be intimacy, harmony and coexistence happily. This Acariyavatta and Antevasikavatta were beneficial to the Sangha both in normal and conflict situations, i.e. in normal conditions, both sides had supported each other, what is sure to happen is a close solidarity between the teachers and Antevasik as well as the monks who live with the same teacher. If there were a conflict or a case, the Sangha had supported each other. The solution will be easy because both sides will have respect for each other. Some problems can be solved because of the teacher's sake or there was reverence for the teacher, which is regarded as a guardian like mother and father in the world of Buddhism. Therefore, Acariyavatta and Antevasikavatta were a relationship for unity among the Sangha.