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monk into the order. In the Jaina tradition, one may be initiated when one is slightly above eight years of age(55). If anyone is initiated before this age, he has to undergo atonement. According to the Vinaya Pitaka, if a monk knowingly initiates another into monk hood before he is 20, then, the person so initiated is virtually uninitiated(56).
Both Mahavira and the Buddha lived during the same age and in the same region. Both were sectarian leaders within the sramaņa cult. But so much difference in their prescriptions regarding the age of initiation is really very surprising. The question of initiation of a child into monkhood must have been a very burning topic of controversy in that age, and while on sect was in favour of initiating a child into monkhood, the other sect expressed itself to be against it. What is the reason for this ?
Mahāvira not only prescribed initiation in childhood, he himself initiated Atimuktaka at a very young age. One day, Ganadhara Gautama was wandering in the city of Polāspur on a mission to beg food when suddenly a young boy named Atimuktak a caught his finger and said,
"Bhante ! Please come to my house to receive food".
The boy was not one who could be discouraged. Guatama came to his house and received food. After accepting food, as Gautama turned to go, the boy followed behind him When the two were on the road, Atimuktaka said,
"Bhante ! Where are you going"?
- "I am going to Bhagavān Mahāvira who is the foun
tainhead of peace".
- "I am in need of peace myself. I must go to him.
Atimuktaka came to the garden where Mahāvira was, and was duly initiated. One day, because of his immaturity as a child, Atimuktaka floated his begging bowl in a stream and enjoyed the fun of having floated a boat. The senior monks chastised him at once. But Mahāvira prescribed atonement for him, made him sin-free and said,
