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
Monks were often warned to dress themselves properly. Particularly, when visiting the house of a laity or entering a village, they must not be ill-clad. Departing from any one of the usual set of three robes was allowed in some special circumstances only. For instance a forest-dweller (araññaka) was allowed to do so as forest-dwelling was insecure and dangerous."
Like the food-stuff, the authority for acquisition, preservation and distribution of robes was vasted in certain officers of the Order appointed for the purpose."
Recidence and bed :-The foot of a tree (rukkhamula) was the only resort allowed to a Buddhist monk in the begining of the order. This law was relaxed by permitting the use of a vihara (monastery), an addhayoga (a pinnacled house), a păsada (a storeyed building), a hammiya (an attic) and a guha (a cave) as dwelling places. As a result of this relaxation a large number of buildings were offered to the Buddhist Order for its use, which enabled the Buddha to permit the monks to supervise the repair or construction of buildings Accordingly not only monk-officers like Narakammika, etc. were appointed for the purpose but a monk was also allowed to construct a buiding for his per sonal use.
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The ideal site for the construction of a vihara is described in great detail.8 Besides the site which must be free from dangers and disturbances, a mention is also made about the size and shape of the building. Normally a parivena (a courtyard), a koṭṭhaka (a store-room), an (upaṭṭhānasală (a service-hall), an aggisālā (a fire-place), a kappiyakuți (a warehouse), a vaccakuți (a privy), a cankama (a cloister), an udapāna (a well), a jantaghara (a bath-room), a pokkharani (a pond) and a mandapa (a portico) were accommodated in the premises of an avasa (residence).10 Thus the campus inhabited by the mendicants was usually self-contained and free from inconveniences to celibate life. The Bhddhists were allowed to use all sorts of furniture like beds, seats,
1. PM, 7. 1-2.
2. Ibid, 7. 3-4.
3. MV, 8. 19. 37, p. 313.
4. PM. 4 9.
5. Vide Infra, Chap. IV, Sec. I.
6. MV, 1. 22. 73, p. 55.
7. CV, 6. 11. 30, pp. 268-272.
8. Vide Infra, 'Rukkhamulasenāsana'.
9. PM, 2. 6-7.
10.
MV, 1. 18. 66, pp. 45-46; 1. 19. 67, pp. 49-50; 1. 23. 78, pp. 59-60; 1. 24. 79, pp 63-64; CV, 8. 8. 15, pp. 323-24; EMB, p. 286.