Overview
A novice monk (Sāmaṇera) trains in the fundamental ethics of the homeless life. Beyond keeping the Ten Precepts, a novice builds character, kills worldly pride, and generates powerful merit by executing eleven core operational duties (vatta) designed to support the senior monastery community and care for their preceptors and teachers.
The List
- Upajjhāyavatta - Duties towards the Preceptor: Rising early to fetch washing water, preparing his robes, serving his food, cleaning his bowl, and attending to his physical comfort.
- Ācariyavatta - Duties towards the Teacher: Providing identical care and respect to the senior monk assigned to instruct him in the scriptures and meditation.
- Āgantukavatta - Duties towards visiting monks: Preparing water for washing the feet, sweeping the guest quarters, and arranging seating when senior traveling monastics arrive.
- Āvāsikavatta - Duties for resident monks: Proper etiquette and hospitality required of a resident monk toward visitors.
- Gamikavatta - Duties for departing monks: The responsibilities of a monk preparing to leave for a journey, ensuring his lodging is clean and secured.
- Bhattaggavatta - Duties in the refectory: Proper etiquette and behavior inside the dining hall.
- Piṇḍacārikavatta - Duties for alms-round monks: Etiquette and mindfulness during the alms round.
- Āraññikavatta - Duties for forest-dwelling monks: Special regulations, cleanliness, and precautions for those living in the forest.
- Senāsanavatta - Duties concerning lodgings: Regularly cleaning, sweeping, and maintaining the monastic cells, meditation walkways, and common rooms.
- Jantāgharavatta - Duties in the hot-room: Etiquette, firing, and maintenance of the hot bathhouse or sauna.
- Vaccakuṭivatta - Duties in the latrine: Etiquette, cleaning, and hygiene at the toilets.
Textual References
- Canonical: Cullavagga (Vinaya Piṭaka) – The Buddha exhaustively details these protocols to rectify instances of careless behavior among the monastics.
- Commentarial: Vinayasangaha Commentary (p. 223) – Clarifies the specific determination of duties towards the Upajjhāya and others, listing these eleven kinds of duties.