Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

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

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STUDIES IN BUDDHIST AND JAINA MONACHISM
of not less than ten yearswhich was cut short when the monk refused to accompany the Blessed One with the following reply to Ananda :
"Friend Ananda, the Blessed One has prescribed that Bhikkhus are to live the first ten years in dependance on their acariyas and upajjha vas), and that he who has completed his tenth year, may give a nissaya himself. Now if we go there, we shall be obliged to take a nissa ya there, then we shall stay there for a sl.ort time, then we must go back again and take a new nissaya. If our acariyas and upajjhāyas go, we will go also ; if our ä сariyas and upaijhāyas do not go, we will not go either. Otherwise our lightmindedness, friend Ananda, will become manifest" ?
The Pali Vinaya contains elaborate rules concerning the duties and obligations of a disciple towards his teacher and vice versa. The principal duties which are binding on a disciple are the menial works of the whole vihāra in general and that of the teacher in particular.3 The Jaina nonks are also prescribed the same type of duties and obligations, though these are not arranged systematically at one place. 4 Perhaps the reason behind the fact that all the menial works of the teacher or rather that of the whole monastery are to be performed by the juniors is that we know of no servant employed by the Saigha. Besides, a disciple is also to help his teacher in doctrinal and ecclesiastical matters, if there is such an occasion. The details in this respect may be worked out as below.
A disciple having got up carlier than the teacher should provide him teeth-cleanser, rinsing water, a seat and rice-gruel. Then he should give him water, wash the bowl and sweep the place when he has finished the rice-gruel At the time of proceeding for alms, he should give him robes, girdle and alms-bowl, and take from him the robes taken off. If the teacher desires that his disciple should follow him, the disciple should accompany him duly clad and with his almsbowl. When accompanying, the disciple should be at a considerable distance from the teacher, and should take the contents of his almsbowl. So also he should return to the vihāra froin the begging-tour before the teacher so that he may furnish him with a seat, water and a towel, may take his alms-bowl and robes taken off and may provide him his house-dress (patinivasa), water and food in due time. He
1. MV, 1.:6. 82, p. 67. 2. Ibid, 1. 41. 102, pp. 82-83. 3. Ibid, 1. 18 €4.66, pp. 42-47; 1. 23. 74-78, pp. 56-62. 4. Cf. Brhk, 3. 21. 5. MV, 1 18. 66, pp. 46-47; 1. 23. 78, pp. 61; Thān, 135, p. 118a.