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Four Institutions
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like the Bhagavati and in other older works we come across the stories of the pupils of Päršvāpatya or Pārsvanātha. Some of the pupils hesitate in their approach to him; some tease him because they take him to bo anti-religion; some submit varied questions to defeat him or test him. Yet ultimately the tradition of Pārsvā. patya is either lost in the tradition of the pupils of Lord Mahāvira or its defiled part falls off on its own. The Sangba of Mahāvira comes in a new form once more and it arranges itself into an institution.
Wise Constitution
Rules about life, mutua! behaviour, and duties are framed in the lostitution of Sadhus. Like a well organized state administration, rutes are framed even in the Institution of Sadhus so that all Sādbus abide by the rules and duly control and punish those who break the rules.
Small and big officers are appointed and that too within the limits of the work on hand. The limitation on Sanghasthaviras, Gacchasthavira, Acārya, Upācārya, Pravartaka, gani etc., their mutual dealings, their distribution of work, resolving their mutual conflicts, rules about approaches to, learning, food etc.- all this is described in the chedasūtras. As we study this, we feel greatly respectful towards the Ācāryas whose wisdom with regard to the constitution of the Sadhusanstha is revealed. Further, I have always felt that the study of the constitution of the Sadhusanstha would be very much helpful to all who desire to constitute the rules of big Institution or to expand it.
The Sangha of female ascetics and its impact on the Bauddha Sangha
The Sadhusanstha had spread in all the four corners of tbis country. It is stated that during the life-time of Bhagavān, there were 14 thousand Bhikkhus and 36 thousand female ascetics. We do not possess the details of the rise or fall in their numbers after Nirvāņa. But it seems that for a few centuries after Bhagavān there was no reduction in their numbers, may be, the number
EJ-13
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