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Dikṣā: Consecration
449
leaving, parting, going forth, disappearing.13 This point is wellconveyed in regard to Mļgaputra: when he had convinced his parents of the absolute necessity of vairāgya and when they had given their consent, "...as a serpent (sheds) its skin, so he abandoned (every form of] possessiveness."14
The first and very radical implication of this "stripping" is precisely the fact of being anagāri. This is just the outward, observable sign of an inner state which removes all karmic dust in order to reach at one and the same time both nudity of being and plenitude. 15
c) Conditions for admission into the samgha
The personal decision constitutes a beginning. Having received parental permission, which is obligatory, the candidate still has to be accepted by the local samgha. In this context samgha means the guruni who is in direct contact with the vairāgini, the sādhvis who belong to the same group, next the pravartini if there is one, the ācārya to whom the guruņi is responsible and the committee of the samgha of the candidate's native-place. This last-named must refer to one of the more important committees which administer the gaccha or sampradāya. The samgha of the place where the dikşā will take place is also consulted, for the committee of this samgha will be made responsible for the organisation of the order of service, the receptions, the preparation in general, the decoration, etc.16 Without going into
13 Cf. KS 111; US XXII, 21; 23
14 ....mamattar chimdai tahe mahānāgo vva kamcuyam. US XIX, 86.
15 This process is described in Part II.
16 Before her dikșa at Mulun (a suburb of Mumbai) on March 25th, 1976, a vairāgini belonging to Saurastra had to obtain the written permission of her parents. Next, the following were consulted by turn: the committee of the samgha to which the family belonged, and the mahāsamgha of Mumbai. This latter, consisting of the president and 2 śrāvakas appointed for the purpose, examined the vairāgini with care, asking her numerous questions. Not only is investigation made as to the freedom of choice and sincerity of
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