Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c25.4

c25.4

**Its Restrictions.** The other three kinds of probation are of the nature of penal discipline for a certain period to be submitted to by Bhikkhus who fall under an ecclesiastical censure. We read of a stupid Bhikkhu who violated rules by living in lay society in unlawful association with the world, for which he was placed on probation under an Act of Subordination passed against him. Later on, he rehabilitated himself by correct conduct. The Act of Subordination would also be passed to punish the offences of staying too long in a public rest-house and frequenting a village on more than ordinary occasions [*Chullav.*, i, 9, 1]. Numerous, indeed, are the forbidden practices of the monks under training. They resemble those forbidden to the Brahmachārins under the Brahmanical system. They are detailed in several texts [e.g. *Chullav.*, i, 13; *Tevijja Suttanta* (Majjhima Sīlam)]. The following practices among others are forbidden: injuring plants or vegetables (whence agriculture is tabooed as an occupation of the Bhikkhu), storing up property, witnessing public spectacles (like theatrical representations, recitations, concerts, musters and reviews of troops [cf. *Pāt.*, p. 43]), engaging in games detrimental to progress in virtue, adorning bodies, indulging in mean talk (including fortune-telling), wrangling and acting as a go-between (between kings, ministers, etc.). [For agreement as to these injunctions between Brahmanical and Buddhist texts, see my *Local Government in Ancient India*, 2nd ed., Clarendon Press, pp. 65-75.]