प्राचीन भारत में शिक्षा (डॉ. ए.एस. अल्तेकर - गुरुकुल एवं बौद्ध विहार शिक्षण इतिहास)

X] CONTRIBUTION OF THE BUDDHISM 227 less than eight years old. The permission of the guardian was necessary. The Upasampadā was given after the end of the noviciate period, and the recepient had to be not less than twenty years old. ¹If he was a debtor, an invalid or a government servant, he was refused admission. The ordination could take place only with the consent of the whole chapter. There were no caste restrictions for admission (ante, p.), The novice had to affirm his faith in the Buddha, his Dhamma (gospel) and Saṅgha (the Order), and select a learned person as his preceptor. He was to follow strictly the rules and discipline of the Order ; if he was guilty of any serious breach of discipline, he could be expelled by a meeting of the chapter. Like the Hindu Brahmachārī (student), he was expected to beg his daily food ; but he was also permitted to accept invitations for meals from laymen. He was to do all manual and menial work connected with the monastic life, e. g. cleansing its floor and utensils, bringing water, supervising its stores, etc. The Relation between the Novice and his Teacher were filial in character ; they were united together by mutual reverence, confidence and affection. Like the Hindu Brahmachārin, the Buddhist novice was to help his teacher by doing a variety of manual work for him ; he was to carry his seat and robes, supply him water and tooth stick, cleanse his begging bowl and utensils and accompany him as an attendant when he proceeded to the town or village for begging or preaching. The teacher was to teach the student the rules of etiquette and discipline, draw his

1. Like Upanayana, it has been compared to a spiritual birth ; Cf. अरियाय जातितो जातो Majjhima Nikāya, II. p. 108 ; Therīgāthā, No. 17.