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TULSI-PRAJNA
Jatilas and heretics of Sākya birth. They received the Upasampadā ordination directly and no parivāsa was imposed upon them. A person between fifteen and twenty years of age could receive only the pabbaijā ordination and had to wait till his twentieth year for the Upasampada. The novice (śramanera) had to live a life of strict discipline during this period under the guidance of an ubajjhāya. He bad to practice the ten precepts like abstinence form (a) destroying life, (b) stealing, (c) impurity, (d) lying, (e) intoxicating liquor, (f) eating at forbidden times, (g) dancing, (h) garlands and scents, (i) use bigh beds and (j) accepting gold or silver. He was expelled, if he violated any of the first five precepts or if he spoke against the Buddha, dharma or Samgha.
3.2. The life of a novice in the monastery was regulated by stri disciplines. Every morning, a student having chewed tooth-wood. should come to his teacher and offer him tooth-wood and put a washing-basin and a towel at the side of his seat. Then he should worship the holy image and walk around the temple. After that, he should make salutation to his teacher holding up his cloak and with clapped hands. Touching the ground with his head three times, the student should remain kneeling on the ground. Then, with bowed head and clapped hands, he enquires of the teacher, saying "Let my Upadhyāya be attentive, I now make enquiries whether Upadhyaya has been well through the night, whether his body has been in perfect health, whether he is active, whether he digests his food well, whether he is ready for the morning meal ?” After getting the answers from the teacher the pupil goes to salute his seniors who are in the neighbouring apartments. Afterwards he reads a portion of the scriptures, and reflects on what he has learnt. 11 Teachings i
4.1. The teachings of lord Buddha was handed down by word as this was the custom during that time. Therefore, the method of teaching at that time was chiefly oral. It is, further, clear from the dialogues of Nāgasena and Milinda that teachings through qestions and answers were the usual rule. Again, Buddha adopted his teachings to the need, and capacity of his disciples. It was the characteristic feature of the Buddha's method of teaching that he should examine his opponents' position first. As per examplo, lord asked Nigrodha to ask question to him about Nigrodha's own doctrine The method of teaching at the Nālandāmahāvihāra seems to be both tutorial and professorial. All the students were bound to attend the discourses without fail. The students were engaged from m to night in discussions. The old and the young ones mutually help
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