Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c10.45

c10.45

† The statements having reference to invalidity of reception ("Mahâvagga," i, 49, seq.; 61, seq.) prohibit, partly the completion of the lower, and partly that of the higher grade of initiation (*vide infra*). In cases of the latter kind the initiation granted contrary to rule must be cancelled; the old codex of the "Pâtimokkha" goes even farther, and, in the only case of the kind which it touches, declares the initiation granted to be *ipso jure* invalid ("Pâcitt.," 65). For cases of the first kind on the contrary there is no such clause; it appears, that in this case the initiation remained in force, even though it had been conceded contrary to rule. Thus we might here have a distinction which may be compared to that of *impedimenta dirimentia* and *impedientia* in the legal system of our own times. In detail the separation of cases falling under the two classes mentioned gives rise to manifold doubts; the redaction of the "Mahâvagga" is in this point not without embarrassment.