Budhism :—Laws of the Budhist Priesthood, 2 1 



Notwithstanding this direction, some of the upajjhayo 

 would not forgive; and the co-resident priests being dis- 

 couraged, left the priesthood, or joined themselves to other 

 religious communities. Upon this, Budha decreed :-— 



8. It is not proper, priests, to refuse forgiveness when it 

 is solicited. He who refuses to forgive is guilty of Dukkata. 



Some superiors suspended the obedient, and permitted the 

 disobedient to remain free. This being reported to Budha, 

 he decreed : — 



9. It is not proper, priests, to suspend those who perform 

 their duty. He who does so is guilty of Dukkata. 



10. It is improper, priests, not to suspend those who 

 neglect their duty. He who does not place such under 

 suspension is guiity of Dukkata. 



On one occasion a Brahmin requested ordination, but the 

 priests (to whom he applied) were not willing to grant his 

 request; upon which he pined away with grief, lost his 

 colour, and became very unhappy. Budha noticed the 

 change in his appearance, and enquired respecting the cause. 

 They informed him ; upon which he asked, Does any priest 

 remember any good deed performed by this Brahmin? Sari- 

 putto said, that he remembered a good act ; for that on one 

 occasion, the Brahmin directed food to be put into his bowl. 

 Budha praised Sariputto for remembering a kind act, and 

 directed him to make the Brahmin a priest. Sariputto en- 

 quired what formula he should use in ordaining him. Upon 

 this, Budha called a meeting of the priests, and said,— 



11. Priests, I formerly permitted Upasampada to be 

 given upon the three-fold repetition of the Sarana : from this 

 time I revoke this permission : I now direct Upasampada to be 

 given by, including the announcement (ss^d^), a four-fold 

 act. (1) And thus shall Upasampada be given. A fluent and 

 learned priest shall present the proposition to the Sangho ( 2 ) 



Xl) That is, an announcement of the intention, and the question being put 

 thrice to the assembly. 



(2) A chapter of the order, 



