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 59

FEBPUARY, 1893.]
KALYANI INSCRIPTIONS.
47
Parakkamabahumabarajâ ; a treatise setting forth the covenants entered into, at the solicitation of the said kings by the priesthood for the observance of the Order ; & letter sent by the Sihaļa théras and a book recording the covenants entered into by them; a book of gáthás written by Vaņaratanamahâthêra ; and a letter from the Sthala King, Bhîvanêkabahu. Råmâdipatimaharåja accorded a gracious greeting to the eleven théras, and commanded his ministers to escort each of them to his monastery with many flags and streamers flying, and with the sounding of gongs and many other kinds of musical instruments.
Then the following thonghts arose in the mind of RamadhipatimahArâja: “These eleven théras visited Sthaladipa, and have now returned bringing from thence the pare form of the vpasampadá ordination. In this city of Hamsavati, there does not exist any pare baddhasimd, nor any mahánadi possessing the characteristics of a nadi, nor any mahájátassara possessing the characteristics of a játaseara, nor any gámakhétta whose purification can easily be effected. Where can these théras perform such ecclesiastical ceremonies as uposatha or upasampada ordination ?
“Surely, it is proper that I should cause a search made for a small gamak hétta, that can easily be guarded, and there have a baddhasimá properly consecrated by these théras. If this is done, they will be in a position to perform, in that sima, sach ecclesiastical ceremonies as uposatha or upasampada ordination." Ramadhipatiråja accordingly sent his attendants to search for a gd makhétta answering the description. During the course of their search, the King's attendants found on the skirts of a forest to the west of a mahachtiya, oalled Mudhave, & gamakhêtta belonging to the Minister Narasura, which was small and could easily be guarded; and they reported accordingly to the King. Râmûdhipatirâja personally inspected the site, and considered that it was a gámakhêtta, which could easily be guarded, and was an appropriate spot for the consecration of a sima. The ground of a selected place on that land was cleared of jungle, the site of the proposed simá was marked out, and a house was built in the middle of that site. The inside and outside of that house, as well as the site of the proposed simá, and a selected place outside that site, were smeared with cow-dung. Then & fencing was erected enclosing the whole place on its four sides, and four openings with doors were constructed. In order to obviate the junction of that gámakhétta with others around it, the means of connection, such as the branches of trees, &c., both on the ground below, and in the air above, were cut down, and a small trench, about a span in depth and the same in width, was dag. Not far from the site of the proposed simd, and on its west side, & monastery, & refectory, a lavatory, and a privy were constructed for the use of the eleven théras, who were to perform the ecclesiastical ceremony; and they were invited to take up their residence in that monastery.
Ramadhipatiraja again reflected: "The eleven théras, and the eleven young priests, who are their disciples, have returned from Sihaļadîpa after receiving there the exceedingly pure form of the upasampadá ordination. It would, however, be as well that I should enquire as to whether these théras and their disciples are free from censure and reproach. Should any of them be not free from censure and reproach, their exclusion, in spite of their having received the exceedingly pure form of the upasampadá ordination from the Chapter of priests appointed to consecrate the sima, would be pleasing to us; because a simá constitutes the basis of the Religion, and also because the inclusion of priests, who are not free from censure and reproach, though they may have received the pare form of the upasampadá ordination in the Chapter consecrating a simá, would, in after times, afford matter for objection to the enemies of the Religion."
Accordingly, the King sent learned men to institute enquiries. On enquiry it was found that, previons to their receiving the Siha!a form of the upasampadá ordination, one théra and four young priests were not free from a measure of censure and reproach, which was not of a grave character, but only of a trivial nature ; and the matter was reported to the King. Rimadhipatiraja was, however, determined to maintain the Religion in extreme purity, and excluded