Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

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

Page 97

STUDIES IN BUDDHIST AND JAINA MONACHISM announcement or motion (ñatti) was taken to be approved, if the
r remained silent. The procedure was completed with the resolution that upasampada had been conferred on such and such a person with Venerable such and such as his upaj jhaya, put three times to the Sangha,
This procedure was again supplemented with some alteration and addition to it, and thus was given the final shape. In order to make it easily intelligible let us confer upasampadā on a person, say Mr. X for the sake of convenience.
The ordinary rule to conduct the ordination ceremony of a person required a Sangha of not less than ten persons, and all of them must be exceptionally qualified and experienced. Specially two persons, one to act as the instructor (anusa saka) and the other as preceptor (upajjhāya) must be duly appointed by the Sangha so that the function may be solemnised lawfully. Let them be called Venerable Band A respectively.
Now the actual proceeding begins :
Ven. B, the instructor should instruct aside Mr. X, the monk. to-be (upasampada pekkha) about the bars to admission, robes, a bowl, the process of choosing his preceptor and the nature of questions to be asked (by him) before the assembly. Ther, he should ask him to reply frankly and boldly when examined about the disqualifications. Having so instructed, Venerable B should take permission on Mr. X's behalf to come before the assembly. If permitted, he should come to the assembly with Mr. X and should cause him to request the assembly in the following words :
“Sirs, I (Mr. X) request the assembly for upasampadā. May I be, Sirs, saved by the assembly having compassion on me.'
Then a qualified and capable monk haviny inquired of Mr. X about the five incurable diseases, his sex, debt, his warfare, his parents' consent, his age and his preceptor's name, etc. before the assembly, should lay the following motion :
“Listen to me, Sirs, Mr. X prays for upasampadá from Venerable A. He is free from the disqualifications antarāyikadhamma and duly provided with alms-bowl and robes. Mr.X requests the assembly for upasampada with Venerable A as his upajjhaya.
1. MV 1. 23. 74. p. 56. 2. Vide Infra, 'The Authority... to carry out the Function'.