126 Budhism : — Laws of the Budhist Priesthood. 



accustomed to see the priests and minister to them, wept 

 because they did not see them as usual. Ananda was desirous 

 of preserving the children and admitting them into the priest- 

 hood, but they were under the prescribed age. He mentioned 

 the case to Budha, who enquired if the children were able to 

 drive away the crows. He replied that they were able. 

 Upon this, Budha assembled the priests, and said : 



41. Priests, I permit children under five years of age to 

 be admitted into the priesthood, if they be able to drive 

 away the crows. 



The priest Upanando had two Samaneros, who living 

 together polluted each other. The circumstance becoming 

 known, Budha decreed : 



42. Priests, two Samaneros shall not be under one person. 

 He who receives two Samaneros is guilty of Dukkata. 



Bagawa spent the entire year in B-ajagaha, and the inhabi- 

 tants complained that the place was darkened with the number 

 of priests. Upon this being reported to Budha, he determined 

 to visit Dakkhinigiri, and sent Ananda to inform the priests 

 that as many of them as were inclined might accompany him. 

 They replied, Bagawa has commanded us to remain near our 

 superiors and preceptors ten years. If they go, we will 

 accompany them, otherwise we cannot go. In consequence 

 of this Bagawa had few attendants, and upon his return he 

 decreed: 



43. Priests, I direct that fluent speaking and well informed 

 priests shall remain as pupils five years. They who are not 

 fluent speaking shall remain as pupils so long as they live. 



The qualifications requisite to free a priest of five years* 

 standing from remaining a pupil are; that he be modest and 

 reverent in his deportment ; diligent, intelligent, free from 

 ecclesiastical censure, orthodox, learned, wise, well acquaint- 

 ed with ecclesiastical laws, and able distinctly, clearly, and 

 in proper order, to recite the two Pratimokshas. 



Bagawa having resided in Bajagaha as long as he thought 

 it advisable, left that place to visit his native city Kapila 



