________________
X, 22, 3.
ON THE DUTIES OF BHIKKHUNËs.
361
2. They conferred it by (sending) a Bhikkhu as the messenger.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
You are not, O Bhikkhus, to confer the upasampada initiation on a Bhikkhuni by sending a Bhikkhu as messenger. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'
They conferred it by sending a female student ..... a male novice . . . . .a female novice .....an ignorant, incompetent Bhikkhunf, as the messenger. [Similar decision in each case.)
I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to confer the upasampada initiation by sending a learned, competent Bhikkhunf as a messenger.'
3. “That Bhikkhunt messenger is to go before the Samgha, and arranging her robe over one shoulder, is to bow down before the Samgha, and sitting on her heels, to stretch forth her joined palms, and say: "N. N., having been desirous of receiving the upasampada initiation with the lady, M. M. (as her proposer), has received it on the one hand from the Bhikkhuni-samgha, and has there been declared free (from the Disqualifications '). But she is prevented by some danger or other from coming before the Samgha (to have her initiation confirmed) 2. N. N. asks the Samgha for initiation. Let the Samgha raise her up (out of the worldly life) out of compassion upon her.' [To be said thrice.]
khus, a Samgha of not less than ten persons (Mahâvagga I, 31, 2, and IX, 4, 1), each of ten years standing or more (Mahavagga I, 31, 8). But even for Bhikkhus there were, under special circumstances, certain relaxations of this rule (Mahavagga V, 13, 11).
i See above, X, 17, 1, for the twenty-four Disqualifications, . Compare above, X, 1, 4, and X, 17.
Digilzed by Google
