Indian Antiquary Vol 22

SR No.: 032514
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 442
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 46

34
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1893.
the interpretation of the words mentioned in the atthakathas, namely, anvaḍdhamasam anudasaham anupanchaham would, in this excessively rainy region of Ramaññadêsa, perform the upasampada ordination in an udakukkhé pasima consecrated on a river or lake, which was devoid of its respective characteristics.
There were some theras, who, whenever they wished to consecrate a simú on a gámakhétta, would cut off the branches of trees, &c., that connected it with other gúmakhettas, and carry out their object through the acts of inducting within the hatthapása the priests residing inside or outside the boundary of that gámakhetta, of receiving the declarations of assent of such of them as were absent, and of excluding such of them as merited exclusion. But, whenever there was an upasampada ordination to be performed in such a simú, the ceremony would be performed without cutting off the branches of trees, &c., which connected that gamakhetta with others.
In the two thousand and second year that had elapsed since the Parinirvana of the Fully Enlightened One, and the 820th year of Sakkaraj,23 there reigned in Harhsavatinagara, Ramadhipati, who, assuming the title of Siripavaramahadhammarajadhiraja, ruled justly and righteously and afforded protection to the people of Ramaññadėsa, which comprised the three provinces of Kusimamandala, Hamsavatimandala, and Muttimamandala. He was the Lord of a White Elephant, whose colour was like that of the white esculent water-lily, or of the jasminum multiflorum, or of the antumnal moon, and was replete with faith and many other qualities. He was well-acquainted with the languages of various countries, and with many mauual arts, such as masonry and carpentry. He was, moreover, learned and well-read, and was versed in the Tipitaka and the sciences of takka, byakarana, chanla, alankára, astrology, medicine, and arithmetic, pertaining to the Védasá. The King had exceedingly deep faith in the Religion of the Teacher, and the following thoughts arose in his mind: "The upasampalá ordination is dependent on that of pabbajjú, and the basis of the Religion itself is the upasampala ordination, which in order to be appropriate, inviolable, and valid, must be possessed of five characteristics, namely, simásampatti, parisasampatti, vatthusampatti, nattisampatti, and anusávanasampatti. Of these characteristics there exist means of attesting the validity of vatthusampatti and nattisampatti, owing respectively to the ability of a candidate for the pure form of the upasampadá ordination to fulfil the condition of the former, and to the accessibility of qualified acháriyas, who could recite the kammaváchá with correct intonation. But, by what criterion can I ascertain the non-existence of simásampatti and parisasampatti?"
The King, in repeatedly investigating and considering the ruling of the Vinaya as regards the consecration of a sima, which would be in conformity with the intention of the Blessed One, as interpreted by the authors of atthakathas, tikás, and pakaranas, consulted both the spirit and the letter of the following works, controlling the atthakatha by means of the páli, the fiká by means of the atthakatha, and the pakarana by one another, and, at the same time, collating what was gone before with what came after:-the Vinayapáli; the Vinayatthakatha; the Vinayatika called the Sáratthadipan; the Vinayațiká called the Vimativinôdani; the Vinayatika written by Vajirabuddhithora; the Matikatthakathú called the Kankhâvitarani together with its fiká; the Vinayavinichchhayapakarana together with its tika; the Vinayasangahapakarana; the Simálankirapakarana; and the Simálankárasangaha. To the King, who repeatedly investigated and repeatedly considered this question, the ruling of the Vinaya appeared to be thus:
"If it is desired to consecrate a simú on a selected site, whether it be a pakatigámakhetta or a visumjámakhetta, whose boundaries have been defined for the purpose of collecting revenue,
22 Or 1458, A. D.
23 The modern Pegu.
These comprise the major part of what are now known as the Bassein, Thongwà, Henzada, Hanthawaddy, Pegu, Shwêgyin and Amherst Districts of Lower Burma.