The Sangh - Page 436

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THE SANGH

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to a Bhikkhu and spends his time in the service of the Bhikkhu. He is not a person who has taken Parivraja.

  1. The status of a Bhikkhu has to be reached in two stages. The first stage is called Parivraja and the second stage is called Upasampada. It is after Upasampada that he becomes a Bhikkhu.

  2. A candidate who wishes to take Parivraja with a view ultimately to become a Bhikkhu has to seek a Bhikkhu who has the right to act as an Uppadhya. A Bhikkhu can become an Uppadhya only after he has spent at least 10 years as a Bhikkhu.

  3. Such a candidate if accepted by the Uppadhya is called a Parivrajaka and has to remain in the service and tutelage of the Uppadhya.

  4. After the period of tutelage ends it is his Uppadhya who has to propose the name of his student to a meeting of the Sangh specially called for the purpose for Upasampada and the student must request the Sangh for Upasampada.

  5. The Sangh must be satisfied that he is a fit and a proper person to be made a Bhikkhu. For this purpose there is a set of questions which the candidate has to answer.

  6. Only when the Sangh grants permission that Upasampada is granted and the person becomes a Bhikkhu.

  7. The rules regulating entry into the Bhikkhuni Sangh are more or less the same as the rules regulating the entry into the Bhikkhu Sangh.

ยง 3. The Bhikkhu and His Vows

  1. A layman or a Shramanera takes precepts. His obligation is to follow them.

  2. A Bhikkhu besides taking precepts takes them also as vows which he must not break. If he breaks them he becomes liable to punishment.

  3. A Bhikkhu vows to remain celebate.

  4. A Bhikkhu vows not to commit theft.

  5. A Bhikkhu vows not to boast.

  6. A Bhikkhu vows not to kill or take life.

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