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The First Steps on the Path
323
beings - and also the degree of consent to a blameworthy act. Even if the offence is slight in itself, its effect is always harmful.
The sūtra concludes, like the one on sāmāyika, by an energetic condemnation of faults. What all commentators stress in connection with vandana is the idea of vinaya, humble submission, obedience.24
In the course of the rite, the sădhvis frequently perform the laghuguruvandana, or small vandana, while reciting the corresponding sūtra. This sūtra is not included in the Avaśyaka-sūtra but, along with certain other added sūtras, it forms an integral part of the rite.25 It is addressed to the guruņi and elder sādhvis. Outside this rite and in addition, the sādhvis perform this vandana individually each time they ask permission for something important from the guruni; for normal requests they join the palms, inclining the head.
As regards the six different aspects: nāma, sthāpanā, etc. we must understand the term vandana in the broad sense of respectful homage addressed to the holy men and women of the past, to the sages from the beginning until our own days; reflection on these aspects will be similar to that made already on the subject of the caturviņśatistava.26 The importance of bhāva-vandana, which the sūtra itself expresses very well, must be emphasised, comprising as it does an attitude and disposition of filial respect towards the ācārya, the spiritual mother
24 Cf. ADh VIII, 47-48; MA VII, 83-86; P 486; 701.
25 Cf. P 710 ff. for the laghu-guruvandana one makes 3 åvartas (Sthanakavāsis, Terapanthis) or places the hands together (Mūrtipūjakas), then performs the pañcăriga-nămaskara, the prostration of the 5 members (i.e. hands, knees and forehead touching the ground), reciting the while the sutra (which differs according to the sampradayas), this movement being repeated three times. This lesser vandana is the most common, being performed by the sadhvis on occasions other than that of the site of the avaśyakas for the ācārya and for munis. The śrāvakas and śrāvikās (Sthānakavāsi, Terāpanthi) perform it for the acārya, for munis and sådhvis, but the Murtipūjakas perform this triple vandana only for the ācārya and for munis.
26 Cf. ADH VIII, 46; 49.
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