Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c29.s4: (v) Faith instead of moral practices
Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c29.s4
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(v) Faith instead of moral practices
v2.c29.s4.1
It cannot be exactly determined when firm faith in Buddha, Dhamma and Saṅgha came to be recognised as a means to the attainment of Nirvāṇa. In the Vatthūpamasutta, so much emphasis is laid on it, that a monk having firm faith in the Triratna is exempted from observing even the rules of food. This sutta further shows that a monk taking to faith need not practise the sīlas as recommended for the generality of monks.¹
v2.c29.s4.2
¹ See my paper in IHQ., vol. XVI: *Place of Faith in Early Buddhism*.
v2.c29.s4.3
In view of what has been stated above, we may conclude that strict observance of the Vinaya rules was not in the Teacher's mind though after his demise his disciples made the most of same. In fact, they became more and more ritualistic and failed in using common discretion. A slight deviation from the Vinaya laws made them sinners though it mattered very little in spiritual advancement. The protest raised by the Mahāsanghikas had nothing untoward in it and the Theravādins, we may say, magnified them. We do not mean to justify laxity in discipline but when discipline ends in literal and superficial observance of a set of rules, one has the right to examine them on merits.