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Diksă: Consecration
461
Entrance into the mandapa and commencement of the rite
The ground is covered with large cotton rugs and the crowd sits down. At the far end, facing the main entrance and near the side entrance, there is a wide wooden platform, in the middle of which is seated the ācārya and several munis, while to the right of the ācārya on the same platform are about twenty sādhvis, these latter also seated.48 The vairāgiņi takes up her station standing on a small raised platform, facing the ācārya and flanked by the guruņi and two sādhvis, there is a loud-speaker close by.49 The ceremony begins.
- The vairāgiņi, to atone for any faults committed during her journey to the manďapa, recites the iryāpathika-sútra, followed by the kāyotsarga;50
- next, she recites the three mangala-sūtras,51
- she makes the guruvandana to the acārya;
- she addresses her parents and the whole assembled company in the words of the kşamā-yācanā, the request for pardon;
48 During ceremonis, meetings and conferences the ācārya, munis and sādhvis are always on a platform, if it is a sizeable gathering, and on a low rectangular table, if it is an ordinary smaller meeting, this to mark the difference of status between themselves and the śrávakas and śrāvikās. This is the only external sign of honour that they accept, all the rest, such as garlands and offerings of any kind, being forbidden.
49 The vairāgiņi uses a loud-speaker before donning the habit. Afterwards, a śrāvakas helps the audience to follow by explaining briefly the meaning of each part. Out of regard for ahińsă, munis and sādhvis do not on principle use a loud-speaker; however, this is not a hard and fast rule and certain ones do make use of it.
50 Cf. P 700; 709.
51 These are: marigala-sūtra; uttama-sūtra; sarana-sūtra; cf. P 703-704.
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