Jain Journal 2005 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 26

CHITTARANJAN PAL: WERE THE MONKS EXPELLED FROM THE BUDDHIST
185
In two other edicts at Kauśāmbi and Sāñchi the same instructions have been conveyed to the Mahāmātras of the respective places.
All these three Edicts surprisingly confirm the Buddhist literary tradition relating to the expulsion of the heretics from the Asokarāma and the consequent punishment inflicted upon them.
In the literary tradition of the third council it had been stated that the heretical monks were expelled clad in white robes (setakānibattham dattvā) from the Samgha.
In the Edict it has been stated that the heretical monks shall be clad in white robes (odātāni dusāni)'l and compelled to live in nonresidence (anāvāsasi)12. To explain the term "odātāni dusāni” Dr. D. R. Bhandarkar quoted what Prof. Oldenburg had said, “The robes of a Buddhist monk are yellow coloured and when he is given white robes it means that he is unfrocked”. Then Prof. Bhandarkar explained the other term “anāvāsa" as expulsion pure and simple (setting aside Buddhaghoşa's explanation relating to this term.) and remarked, “His (Asoka's) object is only to remove a schismatic from where Bhikṣus stay and unfrock him”13
The significance of the two terms "odātāni dusāni” and anāvāsā” cannot be explained easily and simply. As the Buddhist Samgha from its very inception functioned on a democratic basis, so the history of the samgha was mainly the story of seccessions and not of forcible expulsions and the expulsion of erring monks from the samgha was no business of the "Head of the state”. Decision on serious matters like the expulsion of the monks could only be made by the committee of the monks and not even by the chief of the monasteryl4
11. Dr. R. K. Mukherji, Asoka, p. 194 fn 2 and 5 12. Ibid 13. Dr. D.R. Bhandarkar, Asoka, p. 47 14. A. L. Basham. The Wonder that was India, p. 285.