Buddha: His Life, his Doctrine, his Order c10.82

c10.82

∗ We are not to think of the vihâras of ancient times as cloisters, which had been erected for the reception of a great number of residents. On the whole it seems to have been the rule, that one vihâra accommodated only one monk; such vihâras usually lay near one another in greater or smaller numbers. The vihâra is described as especially great which is mentioned in the “Cullavagga” (vi, 11), in which seventeen monks arranged themselves for a rainy season. Six other monks come thither, and still there is room for them also. Possibly we have to look upon both parties as accompanied by scholars, novices, and so forth. Stone, brick, and wood are named as the usual materials for the buildings of the Order.