Budhism :—Laws of the Budhist Priesthood. 117 



THE LAWS OF THE BUDHIST PRIESTHOOD, 



(Continued from p. 26.) 



Some of the pupils neglected to perform their duty to their 

 preceptors. This being reported to Budha, he decreed : 



1 9. It is not proper, priests, that the pupil should not 

 perform his duty to his preceptor. He who does not perform 

 his duty is guilty of Dukkata. 



They still remained disobedient, upon which Budha decreed s 



20. I permit, priests, that the disobedient shall be sus- 

 pended (from his position as pupil residing with his preceptor.) 



And thus shall he be suspended : the preceptor may declare 

 by words, or intimate by signs, ee I suspend you," or he may 

 say Return not to this place :" or " Take away your robes 

 and bowl :" or " I have no need of your services." Should 

 he declare this by words or intimate it by signs, the pupil is 

 suspended, but not otherwise, 



A pupil thus suspended did not seek reconciliation. Budha 

 decreed : 



21. I direct, priests, that forgiveness be solicited. 



The pupil still declined to seek reconciliation. This was 

 reported to Budha, who decreed : 



22. Priests, he who is suspended shall not be without 

 seeking forgiveness. He who does not seek forgiveness is 

 guilty of Dukkata. 



Some preceptors, upon forgiveness being solicited, refused 

 to be reconciled. This was reported to Budha, who decreed : 



23. Priests, I direct that forgiveness be granted. 

 Notwithstanding this direction, some of the preceptors 



would not forgive ; and the pupils left the priesthood, or joined 

 themselves to other religious communities. Upon this Budha 

 decreed: 



24o Priests, it is not proper to refuse forgiveness when it 

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



Some preceptors suspended the obedient, and permitted 

 the disobedient to remain without suspension. This being 

 reported to Budha, he decreed ; 



