No. 6. — 1853.] LAWS OF THE BUDDHIST priesthood. 



17 



THE LAWS OF THE BUDDHIST PRIESTHOOD. 



By The Rev D. J. Gogerly. 



[In the first paper concerning Buddhism, which I had the honor 

 of reading before this Society, in May, 1845, it is stated that 

 the sacred writings of the Buddhists are divided into three great 

 sections, called the Winaya, the Sutra, and the Abhidharma 

 Pitakas ; the two latter elucidating the doctrines of Gautama, 

 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 Winaya Pitaka, 

 are five : the first and second containing the criminal code, the 

 third and fourth the ecclesiastical 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 Gautama 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 

 Buddha. We resume the subject at this period.] 



The five ascetics having received Gautama as their teacher, 

 and perceiving the correctness of his doctrine, requested to be 

 admitted priests under his government, both as respected 

 doctrine and discipline. He acceded to their request, saying : 



" Approach, Bhikkhus ! Clearly is the doctrine declared ! Walk 

 in the path of purity, by which all sorrow may be terminated." 



In his first discourse, Buddha had taught his disciples that 

 existence and suffering are inseparably connected : — that the 



