z:\ ambedkar\vol 011\vol11 06.indd MK SJ+YS 5 10 2013/YS 18 11 2013 452
452 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
- In addition to these prescriptions, the laity had a general right to complain against a Bhikkhu to other Bhikkhus, against any mischief or misconduct.
V
The moment the complaint reached the Buddha and he had verified it, the relevant rule in the Vinaya Pithaka was amended to make the repetition of such a conduct, an offence against the Sangh.
The Vinaya Pithaka is nothing but redress of the complaints of the laity.
Such was the relation between the Bhikkhu and the Laity.
ยง 3. Dhamma of the Bhikkhu and the Dhamma of the Upasaka
Some critics of Buddhism allege that Buddhism is not a religion.
No attention should be paid to such criticism. But if any reply is to be given, it is that Buddhism is the only real religion and those who do not accept this must revise their definition of Religion.
Other critics do not go so far as this. What they say is that Buddhism as a religion is concerned only with the Bhikkhu. It does not concern itself with the common man. Buddhism kept the common man outside its pale.
The references to the Bhikkhu occur so often in the dialogues of the Buddha that they go to strengthen the criticism.
It, therefore, becomes necessary to make the matter clear.
Was the Dhamma common to both? Or is there any part of the Dhamma which is binding on the Bhikkhu but not so on the laity ?
Merely because the sermons were addressed to the gathering of the Bhikkhus it must not be supposed that what was preached was intended to apply to them only. What was preached applied to both.
That the Buddha had the laity in mind when he preached: (1) The Panchasila, (2) The Ashtanga