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A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
the ascetics of loose moral conduct.1 However, in spite of the internal differences, they were known to the public by a common name, i. e. Niggaņķha. There was a well developed fraternity consisting of the monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen. Bound by innumerable rules they strived for the good of humanity and for their own salvation ( see also--Jainism ).
(ii) Sakka-Sakkas or sākyas were the Buddhist monks who were known as Bhikku,2 Taccaniya' and Rattapada (Raktapața )also. Raktapata was a common appellation of the Buddhist monks of the time. Bāpa also frequently mentions the Buddhist monks as clad in red attire. Divākaramitra, the Buddhist sage, is shown as clad in a very soft red attire as if he were the eastern quarter of the sky bathed in the morning sun-shine, teaching the other quarters to assume the red Buddhist attire. Harşa also tells the sage Divākaramitra that "at the end when I have accomplished the design, she (Rājyasri) and I will assume the red garments (kāṣāyāni) together."6 In the Kadambarī also the Buddhist nuns are described as wearing clothes, red like the skin of the ripe Tāla tree.' The Buddhist monks and nuns utilized the bark of the Arjuna ( teak ) and Kandala (plantain ) tree for dying their clothes in red colour. 9 As noted before, though the large Buddhist monasteries were mostly desroyed by now, ihe Buddhist monks could be found everywhere in the country. The references make it clear that they were respected by the kings as well as by the public.
1. NC. 2, p. 286. 2. NO. 1, p. 113. 3. NC. 3, pp. 246, 253, 325. 4. AFFIT TE YER_NC. 3, pp. 414, 429; NC. 1, p. 17, 113, 121; NC. 2, p.
116. 5. Hariacarita, Tr. p. 237. 6. Ibid., p. 258. 7. परिणततालफलवल्कललोहितवस्त्राभिश्च रक्तपटव्रतवाहिनीभिः...तापसीभिः
Kādambari, p. 208. 8. JoafoutaiuttOTATI 245Gui pacaAfati afectautuiNC. 3, p.. 160.
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