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P. 134
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Not only do the mortifications of some call for the services of others, but one service begets another. During certain penances, the religious tries to serve the teacher, who, however, is engaged in assisting him. Ia addition, pastors devote the greater part of their activities to ensuring the well-being of their flock, who in return serve and venerate them.
Thus the structure of the community and the division of tasks between superiors and ordinary religious by the institution of the service - which often appears as the necessary complement of mortification establish an uninterrupted cycle of mutual help, both material and spiritual. The result is that everybody attains deliverance sooner (compare R. Williams, Jaina Yoga xx f.).
Service was likewise practiced by the Buddhists (Pa. veyyavacca, veyyavatika). According to the article vaiyapatya in the BHS Dictionary, the beneficiary is generally the Buddha, but it could also be the community or any individual monk. It is also said that the Bodhisattva served living beings. Those who serve increase their merits, as do the Licchavis by serving the Buddha and thanking him for his sermon (Muu 1, 298, 19*). According to the Divyāvadāna, in this way one prepares oneself to be reborn into a rich family (54, 16-55, 6; 347, 27 ff.; compare supra, Uttar 29, 43).
For the religious, "service" is obligatory. The Pali Suttavibhanga condemns to an atonement any nun who has not personally served her superior for two years: ya pana bhikkhuni vuṭṭhāpitam pavattinim dve vassani nânuband heyya, päcittijam ti (Vin IV 326, 1 f.** cf. CPD, s. v, anu-bandhati) The commentary specifies that she obtains for her soap-powder, tooth-picks and water to rinse her mouth, and does whatever there is to do (quoted by SBB, XIII, 378, n. 1). The Mahāvagga analyses the task of the pupil who ministers to the needs and desires of the superior with whom he lives (saddhivihārika). His task was clearly very demanding, requiring as it did continual vigilance and devotion. (I, 46-49).
The Brahmanic student is also required to serve his master: he helps him with his toilet (Baudh Dh S 1, 2, 3, 35). Manu enumerates his obligations to bring him a jug full of water, flowers, dung, earth, the herb kusa and alms (II, 182). Ap Dh S I, 1, 4, 25 f. adds a spiritual service : the student on occasions recalls the acarya to the path of duty with all due discretion; and he can even atone in his place :
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pramādād ācāryasya buddhi-pūrvam vā niyamâtikramam rahasi bodhayet anivṛttau svayam karmany arabheta.
