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Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c9.s8.t2: (B) Vaiyāvṛtya-Bhikṣu

Aspects of Mahāyāna Buddhism and its Relation to Hīnayāna c9.s8.t2

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(B) Vaiyāvṛtya-Bhikṣu

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(ii) The functions of a Vaiyāvṛtya bhikṣu (i.e., a monk who has taken upon himself the responsibility of serving the Saṅgha) correspond to those of the Senāsanapaññāpaka (arranger of seats, beds, etc.) and Bhattudesaka (distributor of food) of the *Suttavibhaṅga*¹. The account of the functions of the Senāsanapaññāpaka and Bhattudesaka is confined to matters relating to the distribution of seats, beds and articles of food to the monks. The quotation in the *Śikṣāsamuccaya* touches on many topics and is interesting from the view-point of the functions of the secretary of a religious organization. It says that the primary aim of a Vaiyāvṛtya bhikṣu should be to win the approval of the Saṅgha. He should do every act, however small it may be, with the consent of the Saṅgha. He must see to the needs of monks, who are āraṇyakas (leading a forest life), piṇḍacārikas² (living on alms under some restrictions), yogācārins (meditating)³, bāhuśrutyas (seekers of wide learning), dharmakathikas (preachers of the law) or are suffering from illness. He should keep separate the money or business relating to the saṅgha of a particular locality and that of the saṅghas of the four regions (cāturdiśa) of all times.⁴ He must apply the gifts made specially for a stūpa to the use of the stūpa and not to any other purpose. He must not lose his temper or give improper directions. He must render account of the gifts received by him from faithful devotees at proper time and place.¹ This account is followed by a list of the punishments that will be meted out to him in his future births for the breach, or improper discharge, of his duties.

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¹ *Vinaya*, II, pp. 74-5; III, pp. 158ff.; *Suttavibhaṅga*, VIII: Dabba after attaining arhat-hood wishes “kin nu kho ahaṃ saṃghassa veyyāvaccam kareyyan ti—yam nunāhaṃ saṃghassa senāsanañ ca paññāpeyyam bhattāni ca uddiseyyan ti”.

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² *Cullavagga*, VIII. 5, p. 215: piṇḍacārikā bhikkhū.

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³ These three refer to those monks who are observing one of the dhutaṅga precepts. In the *Vinaya Piṭaka* also, there are rules regarding the service to be rendered to, or by, a monk who is an āraññaka. See *Vinaya Piṭaka*, Indexes, II, p. 343, V, p. 244, sv. Āraññaka. Cf. *Vinaya*, II, pp. 75, 176; Dabba Mallaputta arranged seats and beds according as the monks were bahussutas, dhammakathikas, etc.

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⁴ Cf. Āgatānāgata-cātuddisasaṅgha in *Cullavagga*, VI. 1. 4, 9. 1. In the inscriptions also, gifts are found to be made to a particular saṅgha or the saṅghas of the four regions, see ante, p. 14.

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¹ Śikṣā., pp. 55-6.

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