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The Concept of Pañcasila in Indian Thought
about 500 A. D. "And from about 800 A. D. onwards 'tantra' sanctioned the marriage of monks in the districts which came under its influence. In the left handed Tantra, there was nothing shameful about the sexual intercourse, it was on the contrary one of the means of winning enlightenment.."1 This, however, is something which is compatible with the spirit of early Buddhism, still it does throw light on the institution of marriage in Buddhism in general. In Japan too, the monks of Shin school are openly married, but their motive of marriage is somewhat different. The monks actually think themselves too low and too inferior to follow Buddha's precepts; and therefore, they get married even in monkhood;2 but the adoption of such a course openly is much better than what happened in Tibet because of forced celibacy. All the types of people, of lower as well as of higher categories were ordained Lamas, but because of their mental weakness they were not able to fulfil the pledge they took, consequently most of the Lamas fled from Tibet with their paramours or lady-love in order to escape the severe penalties inflicted for the breach of celibacy. In this way, they not only violated the precept of celibacy but other precepts as well.
However, Buddhism believes, like Jainism, that the institution of marriage is not contrary to the path of spiritual. advancement though only less advanced. Some of the scriptures tell about the proper marriage matches. It is said here also that the age-difference between the boy and the girl should not be so much that one of them may cultivate a sort of envy for the other, or find difficulty in making adjustment with the other.4 Still the fact renains that the basis of marriage in Buddhism is not begetting children or enhance
1. Buddhism-Edward Conze, p. 60. 2. Buddhism-Edward Conze, p. 60. 3. E. R. E., vol. 3, p. 27.
अतीतयोब्बनो पोसो आनेति तिवरुथनि तस्सा इस्सा न सुपति तं पराभव तो मुखं ।
-S. N., Parābhavasutta, Stanza 20,
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