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[Nishīthasūtra
Prāyaścitta for ordaining an ineligible person
83. A monk who ordains an ineligible person, whether a layman or a non-layman, an upāsaka or an anupāsaka, or approves of such ordination, incurs prāyaścitta.
84. A monk who installs an ineligible person, whether a layman or a non-layman, an upāsaka or an anupāsaka, or approves of such installation, incurs prāyaścitta.
53. A monk who ordains an ineligible person, whether a layman or a non-layman, an upāsaka or an anupāsaka, or approves of such ordination.
84. A monk who installs an ineligible person, whether a layman or a non-layman, an upāsaka or an anupāsaka, or approves of such installation.
(He incurs the prāyaścitta of Guru-Chaumāsi.)
Discussion- The first sūtra states the prāyaścitta for ordaining an ineligible person. If, after ordaining someone, it becomes known that the person was ineligible for ordination, then according to the second sūtra, prāyaścitta is incurred for installing them.
The first sūtra states the prāyaścitta for knowingly ordaining an ineligible person. The second sūtra states the prāyaścitta for ordaining someone unknowingly and then, upon knowing their ineligibility, continuing to install them.
This implies that after ordination, if ineligibility becomes known, one should not install the person.
There can be two reasons for not knowing about the ineligibility. These are: 1. The candidate concealing their ineligibility. 2. The ordainer not thoroughly investigating and obtaining complete information. In the second case, the ordainer is at fault, and therefore incurs the prāyaścitta mentioned in the sūtra. Whether to leave the person installed or not after installation depends on the decision of the Gītartha.
The following are ineligible for pravrajyā:
1. Child- Under eight years of age. 2. Elderly- Over seventy (70) years of age. 3. Eunuch- Born eunuch, made eunuch, female eunuch, and male eunuch, etc. 4. Inert- Physically weak, mentally deficient, and mute. 5. Klib- Unable to overcome the attachment arising from the words, form, and invitation of a woman. 6. Sick- Suffering from any of the sixteen types of diseases and eight types of ailments. The rapidly fatal ailments are called śīghraghāti, and the chronic diseases are called ciraghāti. -Bhāṣya Gā. 3647. 7. Thief- One who enters another's house at night to steal, a pickpocket, etc. There are many types of thieves, robbers, and plunderers. 8. State criminal- One who has been declared a criminal for committing any act against the state. 9. Madman- Possessed by a yakṣa or insane. 10. Blind- Born blind or one who has lost the sight of one or both eyes later. 11. Slave