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Budfiism: — Laws of the Priesthood, 



THE LAWS OF THE BUDHIST PRIESTHOOD. 



By the Rev. IX J. Gogerly. 



[In the first paper concerning Budhism, which I had the 

 honor of reading before this Society, in May 1845, it is 

 stated that the sacred writings of the Budhists are divided 

 into three great sections, called the Winiya, the Sutra, and 

 the Abhidarma Pitakas. The two latter elucidating the 

 doctrines of Goutama, and the first one containing the laws 

 and regulations for the government of the Priests, together 

 with occasional doctrinal discourses. The books on discipline, 

 forming the Winiya Pitaka, are five; the first and second 

 containing the criminal code, the third and fourth the eccle- 

 siastical and civil code, and the fifth is a recapitulation of 

 the whole in a kind of catechetical form. 



My present object is to give a translation of the precepts 

 contained in the ecclesiastical code, in the order in which 

 they are recorded, together with so much of the text as may 

 be necessary to explain the connection between the precepts. 



The two books containing the ecclesiastical code, are 

 named Maha Waggo, and Chula Waggo; the former one 

 will occupy our attention first. 



In the paper read in May 1845, the beginning of the 

 Maha Waggo is translated, and the account is brought up to 

 the time when Goutama converted the five associated ascetics 

 who had been his companions during the six years he spent 

 in austere penances, hoping thereby to attain to the dignity 

 of a supreme Budha. We resume the subject at this period.] 



The five ascetics having received Goutama as their 

 teacher, and perceiving the correctness of his doctrine, re- 

 quested to be admitted priests under his government, both 

 as respected doctrine and discipline. He acceded to their 

 request, saying " Approach, Bikhus I, Clearly is the doctrine 

 declared! Walk in the path of purity by which all sorrow 

 may be terminated." 



In his first discourse, Budha had taught his disciples, that 

 existence and suffering are inseparably connected: — that the 



