Part 13 (1/2)

262. Q. _What are the rules for admission into the Order?_

A. The candidate is not often taken before his tenth year; he must have the consent of his parents; be free from leprosy, boils, consumption and fits; be a free man; have no debts; and must not be a criminal or deformed or in the royal service.

263. Q. _As a novice what is he called?_

A. _Samanera_, a pupil.[2]

264. Q. _At what age can a Samanera be ordained as _Sramana_--monk?_

A. Not before his twentieth year.

265. Q. When ready for ordination what happens?

A. At a meeting of Bhikkhus he is presented by a Bhikkhu as his proposer, who reports that he is qualified, and the candidate says: ”I ask the Sangha, Reverend Sirs, for the _Upasampada_ (ordination) ceremony, etc.”

His introducer then recommends that he be admitted. He is then accepted.

266. Q. _What then?_

A. He puts on the robes and repeats the Three Refuges {_Tisarana_) and Ten Precepts (_Dasa Sila_.)

267. Q. _What are the two essentials to be observed?_

A. Poverty and Chast.i.ty. A Bhikkhu before ordination must possess eight things, _viz._, his robes, a girdle for his loins, a begging-bowl, water-strainer, razor, needle, fan, sandals. Within limitations strictly specified in the Vinaya, he may hold certain other properties.

268. Q. _What about the public confession of faults?_

A. Once every fortnight, a _Patimokka_ (Disburdenment) ceremony is performed, when every Bhikkhu confesses to the a.s.sembly such faults as he has committed and takes such penances as may be prescribed.

269. Q. _What daily routine must he follow?_

A. He rises before daylight, washes, sweeps the vihara, sweeps around the Bo-tree that grows near every vihara, brings the drinking-water for the day and filters it; retires for meditation, offers flowers before the dagoba, or relic-mound, or before the Bo-tree; then takes his begging-bowl and goes from house to house collecting food--which he must not ask for, but receive in his bowl as given voluntarily by the householders. He returns, bathes his feet and eats, after which he resumes meditation.

270. Q. _Must we believe that there is no merit in the offering of flowers (mala puja) as an act of wors.h.i.+p?_

A. That act itself is without merit as a mere formality; but if one offers a flower as the sweetest, purest expression of heartfelt reverence for a holy being, then, indeed, is the offering an act of enn.o.bling wors.h.i.+p.

271. Q. _What next does the Bhikkhu do?_

A. He pursues his studies. At sunset he again sweeps the sacred places, lights a lamp, listens to the instructions of his superior, and confesses to him any fault he may have committed.

272. Q. _Upon what are his four earnest meditations (Sati-patthana) made?_

A. 1. On the body, Kayanapa.s.sana.

2. On the feeling, Vedananupa.s.sana.

3. On the mind, Chittannpa.s.sana.