Vinaya Texts

Author(s): T W Rhys Davids, Hermann Oldenberg
Publisher: Oxford

Page 27

xxiv
VINAYA TEXTS FROM THE PÂLI.
division of the Vinaya Pitaka-the Parivara-pâtha. The reason is that this work, an abstract of the other parts of the Vinaya, is in fact a very much later compilation, and probably the work of a Ceylonese Thera. In some stanzas, which are found at the end of the Parivâra-pâtha, it is stated to have been composed by the highly wise, learned, and skilful Dîpa, after he had inquired here and there into the methods (literally, the way) followed by former teachers'
We have every hope that the foregoing argument will commend itself to our fellow workers as being, in the main, well founded. We now propose to test it by applying it in explanation of several difficult terms and phrases found in the Vinaya Pitaka, which seem to have been hitherto incorrectly interpreted.
It has been pointed out that, in the Pâtimokkha, the offences are arranged in certain classes, called, with reference to the heinousness of the act committed, Pârâgika, Samghâdisesa, Pâkittiya, Pâtidesaniya, and Sekhiya. In other parts of the Vinaya, other offences are called Thullak kaya and Dukkata. On this nomenclature the Rev. S. Coles has founded a trenchant attack upon Buddhist morality. He says:
Beside the Pârâjikas there are lesser faults, the nature of which is determined by various causes, as will subsequently appear. These are Sanghâdisesa, Thullaccaya, and Dukkata faults, and can all be easily remedied, the two latter especially; as, after a fault of this kind has been committed, the culprit has only to confess to his Upajjhầya (ordaining priest) without much delay, and is then exempted from all evil consequences; but the Sanghadisesa being more serious (about half a Pârâjika), a course of penance has to be submitted to, and confession without delay made to twenty-five superior Bhikkhus. The nature
* Pubbâkariyamaggañ ka pukkhitvå ka tahim tahim
Dipo nâma mahâpañño sutadharo vikakkhano Imam vitthârasamkhepam sagghầmaggena magghime Kintayitva likhâpesi sissakânam sukhâvaham.
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