Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 107

STUDIES IN BUDDHIST AND JAINA MONACHISM
Thus they were received as the first lay-disciples in the world.1
Yasa's father was the first among men, and his mother and his former wife were the first among women to become life-long lay-disciples, who were converted by the threefold formula soon after the preaching of the First Sermon. The procedure adopted in their case differs entirely from the aforesaid procedure. In other words, it may be said that from henceforth the procedure to receive lay-disciples, both male and female, was given the final shape as below:
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"And in the fore-noon the Blessed One, having put on his under-robes, took his alms-bowl, and, with his robes on, went with venerable such and such as his attendant to the house of such and such, the householder. When he arrived there he sat down on a seat laid out for him. Then such and such the householder bowed down to his feet and sat down near him."
Then the Blessed One preached him in various ways the discourse on giving (dāna) and moral (sila), etc When the Blessed One perceived that the mind of such and such a householder was prepared to receive the admonitions properly, then he preached him the principal doctrine of the Buddhas, namely, suffering. the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
Consequently, the householder acquired an Insight into the Dhamma, 'whatsoever is an originating thing is also a ceasing thing'. Having realised the Insight, he addressed the Blessed One:
"Glorious Lord, Glorious Lord, just as if one should set up what had been overturned, or should reveal what had been hidden, or should point out the way to one who had lost his way, or should bring a lamp into the darkness, in order that those who had eyes might see visible things, thus has the Blessed One preached the doctrine in many ways. We take our refuge, Lord, in the Blessed One, and in the Dhamma, and in the Order of monks, may the Blessed One receive us from this day forth, while our life lasts, as disciples who have taken their refuge in him"."
Now it can be safely said that lay-adherents were received by a fixed procedure which has often been mentioned in the Vinaya and outside.
1. Op. cit. 1. 4. 6, pp. 5-6. 2. Ibid, 1. 9. 25-29, pp. 18-23.