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vagyha. Thathāvanā)), the novice
368
S. B. DEO If during the period of probation, the novice mastered the Sūtras, then only he was confirmed (uvatthāvanā) on an auspicious place either under a tree or in a caityagsha. This ‘upasthāpanā' was done on all days except the fourth and the eighth days of a fortnight, and an auspicious constellation was taken into account. If the candidate did not know the nakşatra of his birth, then that of the ācārya was taken into consideration on this occasion. Then, taking hold of the 'colapattaka' by the elbows and of the 'mukhapotikā' by the left hand fingers, as well as of the 'rajoharana', the candidate was made to repeat the five great vows, each one thrice.
If more than one candidate came for confirmation then the one who was the oldest in the group was confirmed first. If they were ksatriya princes then the one who was closer to the ācārya [in relation (?) āsannatara ācāryasya] was made the senior (ratnādhika). Then they perambulated round the ācārya who told them that he was their ācārya and somebody else was their upādhyāya. Till confirmed, nobody was allowed to go on the begging tour along with the other monks.17
The requisites offered were, first the clothes, and then the pots.18 These were acquired from any house. But articles like the broom were not easily available. In a few cases an intelligent candidate prepared them of his own accord. There were some who preferred to buy these requisites in a shop (kuttiāvana).
If possible, requisites for all the members of the 'śramanasangha' were bought by the candidate. But if he could not afford to do so, then at least seven sets-three for one's own use and four for the acārya and other respectable monks--were to be brought.
The cost of an ordinary man's requisites amounted to five rupees; that of a merchant who wanted to renounce, came to a thousand rupees, and that of a king to a lakh of rupees. These were the minimum prices which varied according to the coin-values in different regions and according to the nature of the demands of the persons having different status in society. Such shops, it was said, were many in Ujjeni and Rāyagiha.19
Church Hierarchy:
Having once entered the order and got confirmed as a monk, the candidate rose to different posts in the Church hierarchy more on account of his conduct and learning than on account of his age.
17. Ibid., Vol. I, 414, (p. 120); IV, 4357. 18. Ogha-N. vr. p. 108a. 19. Brh. kalp. bha., Vol. IV, 4212-19.
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