Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c31.27

c31.27

**Privileges according to Grades.** But the gradations of the monks in a monastery were indicated not merely by titles, but also by privileges. To venerable monks, if very learned, or those who had thoroughly studied at least one of the three Piṭakas were assigned some of the best rooms of the monastery and servants. "When such men gave daily lectures, they were freed from the business imposed on the (ordinary) monastics." They were given the further privilege of being permitted, when they went out, "to ride in sedan-chairs but not on horseback" (p. 64). These facts were observed by I-tsing at the Varāha monastery in Tāmralipti.