Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 1

Author(s): Nathmal Tatia
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 203

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VAISHALI INSTITUTE RESEARCH BULLETIN NO. 1
inhabited by monks belonging to different districts (sima), except with a Sargha (i. e, with a number of monks sufficient for holding uposatha) or in case of danger. But they were allowed to leave on uposatha day a residence or non-residence inhabited by monks for a residence or non-residence inhabited by monks belonging to the same districts provided that they could reach the place in due time.2
Out of the three types of uposatha referred to in the Mahāvagga, the uposatha just discussed is the sangha-uposatha, the other two being the parisuddhi and the adhitthāna. The uposatha held by four or more than four monks or nuns is called sangha-uposatha as the minimum quorum for performing an Ecclesiastical Act is four. The recitation of the Patimokkha is one of the essential features of sangha-uposatha. The declaration of parisuddhi in order of seniority with the usual formality, if there be less than four monks in an ävása on the uposatha day, is called parisuddhi-uposatha and the concentration of one's mind on the thought-Today is my uposatha day', if there be only one monk in an āvāsa on that day, is designated adhitthāna-uposatha. The concluding passage of the Uposathakkhandhaka4 refers to a special type of uposatha held on any other day than the uposatha days for the sake of reconciliation of the Order which was known as sanghasāmaggi-uposatha.
Besides these, the Anguttara Nikaya gives three types of uposatha known as gopalaka, nigantha and ariya. The first two types make a reference to the uposatha performed by the Jaina laity in which they, on the uposatha day indulge in merriments", and copy temporarily the life of an ascetic by renouncing family ties and household duties respectively. The third type is the uposath a observed by the Buddhists themselves. (c) Jaina :
In Jainism the expression posaha' or 'posadha' stands for uposatha. The Jaina Sanskrit rendering of the term is pausadha? or sometimes prauşadha.8 Umāsvāti gives the word parva as the synonym of pauşadha and includes a stami, caturdasi and pañcadasi or any other day tithi)
1. MV, 2. 37, 51, p. 141.
Ibid, 2. 36. 50, pp. 140-41. 3. Ibid, 2. 24. 37, pp. 125-26. 4. na ea, bhikkhave, anuposathe uposatho katabbo, aññatra,sangha-sāmag
giyā ti.--Ibid, 2. 38. 52, p. 142. 5. Cf. Bhag, 12, 1, p. 553a. 6. Cf. Ibid, 12. 1, p. 555a. 7. Tattoa, auto commentary, 7.16. 8. Sarda, 7.21.