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Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c22.s6: Voting

Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c22.s6

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Voting

v1.c22.s6.1

When the selected monks failed to settle a dispute, the matter was referred back to the *saṅgha*, which then proceeded to appoint one of the members possessing requisite qualifications as *salākāgāhāpaka*.³ The votes were then taken by means of *salākā* (marked sticks) and the will of the majority was accepted as just. As great responsibility rested on the *salākāgāhāpaka*, many rules had to be framed to guard any misuse of power by him. Such occasions were rare in the *saṅgha*; hence the question of majority or voting is not a subject that has been discussed at length in the *Vinaya Piṭaka*.

v1.c22.s6.2

³ *Ibid.*, II, p. 84.

v1.c22.s6.3

Thus we see that the constitution of the *sangha* was clearly democratic in principle but differed in many vital points from a democratic institution of the present day.

v1.c22.s6.4

A study of the *Vinaya Piṭaka* further reveals that the *bhikkhus*, apart from religious practices, were required to act through the corporate body, the *sangha*, and never individually, and it is for this reason that it is said in the *Mahāparinibbāna-sutta*¹ that so long as the monks will assemble frequently, transact business in concord, adhere to the rules already prescribed and avoid laying down new rules, the progress of the *bhikkhu-sangha* is assured and not its decline.

v1.c22.s6.5

¹ Digha, II, p. 76-7.

v1.c22.s6.6

As the members of the order had no individual rights, it became incumbent on the organizers of the *sangha* to frame rules for the receipt and proper distribution of properties, food, clothing and other requisites of a monk.

Cites (3)