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and only those who were ripe in knowledge and perfect in monastic conduct were sent.189 In case such well-versed persons were not available, then even a novice (agītārtha) was sent after being instructed in the sāmācārī (proper mode of conduct). If even such a novice was not to be had, then a monk who was on fast was asked to go after breaking his fast. As a last resort a pair consisting of a young and an old monk was sent in search of a proper lodging.
The work of the advance party was to search out proper places of securing water and the places for rest. They verified whether there would be trouble from animals or thieves.190
Having reached a particular place, the party divided itself into groups in order to have complete information of the various localities in the town. The first group wandered early morning, the second at mid-day and the third in the afternoon. They accepted only little food so that when come together they possessed sufficient food. While on the begging tour they inquired about milk, molasses, ghee, curds, etc. which were required in cases of illness. Thus they could come to know the devoted families and the antagonistic ones, and find out places for easing nature, etc. as well.191
Then the party returned with their impressions of that place and reported their views to the assembly of monks. Then the ācārya considering the opinions of all his disciples, came to a decision regarding the place. It was but natural that those who were greedy of food voted for a place where food was abundant, while those who were studious preferred a place fit for their purpose. But the ācārya used his discrimination and chose a place which, in his opinion, was likely to keep up the morals of the group and where all facilities and requirements could be fulfilled. Besides these items, he took into consideration the age and the state of health of the different members of the groups 192
The monks avoided places the road leading to which was full of thieves, beasts or mosquitoes, where there were famine conditions or divine trouble, where there were relatives of the newly initiated who tried to divert him from monkhood, or where there were bad women or enemies. The places which did not provide facilities for easing nature, which were burnt by fire or were deserted, were infested with mlecchas or tāpasas or heretics, where people were in a habit of eating lot of green vegetables, and where the king performed human sacrifice, were deemed unfit for stay.193
189. Ogha-N. 139-42. 190. Ibid., 143. 191. Ibid., 144-52. 192. ibid., 158-164: It may be noted that the group is termed a "gaccha". 193. Ibid., 132-33.
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