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P. 146
126
The Buddhists also recite the patimokkha in a certain fixed order : the introduction; then, successively, transgressions "involving defeat", "entailing a formal meeting of the order" doubtful faults...(Vin I 112).
In what ways do the three types of confessions distinguished by the commentaries differ ?
In the bonds which unite the assembled religious (these being some. times "commensals" and sometimes not); in the reason for which it is made (as a normal observance, at fixed intervals, for monks who, since they do not live on the spot, must make a special journey for that purpose: präghūrṇaka1; or as an exceptional observance, either with the purpose of entering a gana or of freeing oneself from faults.2
The confession vihar'āloyaṇā is made between commensals (T II 17 a-b cf. 38 b 9). The religious desiring to confess arrive soon after the resident monks have begun their meal (dara-bhutte işad-bhukte vastavyasadhubhiḥ...,17 b 2 ff. ad Bh 1, 52 Nis Bh 6 314). The commensality is clearly marked by the fact that they all eat together after the confession, if it is global and bcars normally on offences expiated by 25 days of penance at the most; before the detailed confession, on the contrary, since this contains faults serious enough to incur the parihara (oghen' alocayanti...cram alocya mandalyam bhunjate.. tad alocanaya alocya sadhubhiḥ sahaikatra samuddiśanti, T II 17 b 4 ff, cf. 18 b 9; visvak samuddi'santi pascad vibhagen' alocayanti, 17 b 7 f.).
However, religious who deserve the parihara are permitted to share the common meal in case of circumstances beyond their control (a disaster, an epidemic in the village or the departure of the caravan with which they came). The same toleration is extended to those who have no personal bowls. They confess en bloc and eat with the community; but as soon as cach has his own bowl, they share the common meal, and p 147 finally confess in detail (Bh 1, 52 b = Nis Bh 6 374 b and the relevant C T). The confession is made to the most senior person present (rainiya) - or to the second in seniority, or to an adept. In principle, it is made at 1. Utually meaning, "a punt"
2. Perlag: ne might compare the three varieties of feasts with procession (utsava) of Vipo. 11e on one takes place on a fixed date; the second serves a display of faith 1 er en to the gol (iraddha); the third is decided as a result of evil patents (remita) with a view to conjuring misfortune (cf. GONDA, Aspects of Early Vaytim. 211 1,, fullesing the Kipapa-Sarhite).
