Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

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

Page 246

THE LAWS OF POLITY
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monk who has completed ten years or more may confer Upasampada and give nissaya,' and can also ordain two novices or as many novices as he is able to admonish and instruct to, and that even a monk of less standing is to be authorised instantly to recite the Patimokkha, if all the theras of an ävāsa be ignorant. 3
Similar was the case with the Jaina Order. Anybody willing to be posted to an office must possess, besides the requisite pariyāya the essential qualifications prescribed for the post. To serve as an illustration, the case of Āyariyauvaijhāya may be taken. The condidate for this post despite his seniority was asked to re-learn the Ayarapakappa, if he had forgotten the texts. Even younger monks were intrusted with the duty of teaching older monks. Thus we notice that regulations were laid down to encourage the younger monks and to avoid filthy competition.
It was essential to maintain law and order for the smooth running of the Fraternity, for harmonious relation among the members of the Sarigha might have been at stake, if favouritism and nepotism would have gained ground in monastic life. The result might have been a constant conflict and finally a dissension in the Church which the Buddha was not prepared to welcome even at the cost of his own life. It never implies that the Buddha underrated seniority in age altogether. His estimation of age indeed was very high which has been well-established by the parable of Tittirajätaka.
Of course, the Jaina Order attached more importance to experience (pariyāya) and scholarship than to age.? Despite the fact, the Jainas, like the Buddhists, could not overlook the importance of age completely. As such the Jaina Order ordained the Ayariyauvajjhāya to postpone the confirmation of a younger novice, if an older one was
ected to complete his lesson by that time. If however he deliberately confirmed the younger person earlier than the older, he had to undergo Cheda or Parihāra. 8
In framing the rules, both the Buddhists and the Jainas seem to have shown the keenest foresight and a peculiar psychological approach
1. MV, 1.26.82, p. 67. 2. Ibid, 1.46.105, p. 87. 3. Ibid, 2.16.24, pp. 117-18. 4. Vav, 3.10. . 5. Ibid, 5.17-18. 6. CV, 6.4.18, pp. 256-57. 7. Vav, 4.13-14. 8. Ibid, 415.
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