Budhism:— Laws i of the Badhist Priesthood. 25 



At one time, Upasampada was given in assemblies where 

 only two or three priests were present. This being reported 

 to Budha, he decreed: — 



15. Priests, it is not proper that Upasampada should be 

 given in an assembly of less than ten priests. Whoever gives 

 Upasampada in a smaller assembly, is guilty of Dukkata. I 

 direct, priests, that Upasampada be given in an assembly of 

 ten priests, or of more than ten. 



At that time, some priests who had only received Upa- 

 sampada one or two years, assumed the office of superior 

 (upajjhaya), and received co-resident priests. This being 

 perceived by Budha, he decreed : — 



16. It is not proper, priests, that any one of less than ten 

 years' standing shall give Upasampada. He who does so, is 

 guilty of Dukkata. I direct, priests, Upasampada to be given 

 by those who are of ten years' standing, or of more than ten 

 years. 



There were priests of more than ten years' standing, who 

 were neither eloquent nor learned ; and when they became 

 superiors, it sometimes happened that the subordinate was 

 more learned than his spiritual father ; and from this many 

 evils arose. This being represented to Budha, he decreed: — 



17. Priests, it is not proper that one who is incompetent 

 and unlearned, should give Upasampada : he who does so, is 

 guilty of Dukkata ; I direct that Upasampada shall be given 

 by priests competent and learned, who are of ten or more 

 years' standing. 



Afterwards, as many of the superiors had removed to other 

 places, or had left the priesthood, or had died, great disorders 

 prevailed among the priests, some of whom became slovenly 

 and irregular in their habits: to remedy this, Budha decreed : — 



18. I direct, priests, that there be preceptors. 



The achariyo or teacher stood in the same relationship to 

 the antewasiko or pupil, that the superior stood in to his co- 

 resident priest : the rules belonging to preceptor and pupil 



VOL. II, E 



