Psychological Value of Declaration (ārocana) and Confession (pāpadesanā) in Buddhism

Abstract

Theravada Buddhism every higher ordinated monk should have to declare the offences made by him in front of the other higher ordinated monk on full moon poyaday. This action is named as ārocanā which means declaration. It is not only declaration but also acceptance it as an offence. In Mahayana Buddhism everyone has the thought of enlightenment (Bodhicitta), but it is sleeping. To wake it up, eight preliminary devotional practices (anuttarapūjā) should have been fulfilled. The forth is confession of sins (pāpadesanā) in front of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Even though they are two religious activities in two Buddhist traditions, the purpose of the activity is same to support final goal of Buddhism. Psychological value of these activities is very high. If the human beings of the society are ready to accept their unrighteous activities as offences, it helps to make the righteous society. And also that acceptance is a great human quality. With this quality unrighteous activities in the society can be controlled as well as it helps a lot to rehabilitate this society.