BUDDHISM. 



195 



The next instance given is one of beastiality, committed by 

 a Bhikkhu in Wesali, with a monkey. Many Bhikkhus were 

 witnesses of his crime, and when they charged him with it, he 

 endeavoured to exonerate himself by declaring that Buddha 

 had hitherto prohibited only cohabitation with a woman. Bhud- 

 dha, as in in the former case, severely reprimanded him, and 

 declared that if any Bhikkhu cohabits with any kind of beast, 

 from the least to the greatest, he is guilty of a Parajika fault, 

 and becomes excommunicate. 



Very many Wajji Puttaka Bhikkhus in Wesali having 

 indulged themselves in luxurious eating, drinking and bathing, 

 neglected their meditations, and through ignorance of their 

 imbecility with regard to the observation of the precepts were 

 guilty of Methuna Dhamma. Subsequently they, on account 

 of affection to their kinsman and continued desire, went to the 

 venerable Anando, and said thus to him O lord Anando, we 

 have not despised, we have not despised the Dhamma, we 

 have not despised the Priesthood, we have not despised self, and 

 O lord Anando, we have not despised others ; (but) we are 

 very unfortunate, and although we have a little merit from 

 having been initiated in this declared course of discipline, 

 yet we shall not be able, till the end of life, to complete the 

 perfect and pure Brahmachariya. Now, O lord Anando, may 

 we receive the cleric state, and the order of Upasampada, in 

 the presence of Bhagawa ; and may we be permitted to pass 

 the first and last watches of the night in contemplation of the 

 revelation of the meritorious Dhamma, and of the orthodox and 

 wise Dhamma. It is good, O lord Anando, declare this to 

 Bhagawa. — Just so ; the venerable Anando answered to the 

 Wesali Wajji Puttaka; and went to the place where Bhagawa 

 was, and having arrived, made known the matter to Bhagawa. 

 —It is difficult, O Anando : Tathagato has not the means either 



