________________
p. 100
P. 10
137
: : have repented of those of the fortnight. The teacher concludes : “Repent correctly", sammam padikkamaha.
There follows: the undisturbed abandonment of the body, a meditation on the Law and the recitation of sūtra, of the five, or rather of the six great vows which one has sworn to observe (6 6 - 57 a); the praise of Mahavira (58) and of the religious Tradition (59a - 71 a); the hommage to its doctors, its guardians and its divinity (71 a-b). Finally, prostrated (with knees and hands on the ground), they formulate five requests for pardon (khamei, Lehre § 159).
I. "Your Grace, here I am, ready. I wish to beg pardon for the
faults committed during the fortnight. During these fifteen days and fifteen nights .whatever regrettable and detestable things I have done (whether they concern eating, drinking, good manners, service, a word, an exchange of words, being on an elevated seat, being in company, taking part in a conversation, holding a superfluous conversation) - whatever offence, trivial or serious, that I have committed against good manners which you know and I do not know - my fault < has been due to error !"
The acārya replies : "I also ask your pardon”.
II. “Your Grace, I would like - and this is a matter wbich is dear to me-to share what you have, you who are happy, contented, without suffering or defects, who respect virtue, respect the vows, you who also have a superior and a preceptor, who by knowledge, faith, right conduct and mortification seek to form yourself. It is in happiness, my Lord, that this day of transition, of the fortnight, has elapsed; and it is under favourable auspices that another day has come to meet you, I salute you with my head, my heart and my forehead”.
The acārya replies : “You share these < advantages >'".
III. «Your Grace, I desire < to convey my greetings > I have previously saluted and revered, in your sight, the statues < of the Jina > All the monks grown old < in religion > whom I have seen during my errands - those living in the shelters >, or < according to the rule >, or going from village to village; all thc Elders who ask for news of you: all the younger members and ordinary religious of both sexes; the faithful men and women who greet you - all of these I also salute three times with my head, heart and forehead, I whom no dart of < evil conscience > afflicts, who am without passion. I also cause the statues of the Jinas to be saluted."
1. PETTAZZONI reports that in Ceylon the bonzes assembled for the fortnightly meeting
ask each other's pardon for their offences before commencing the recitation of the
pātimokkha (La Confession dei peccati I 293 f.) 18
