Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c32.s2.26

c32.s2.26

**An Assembly.** For next day was fixed a congregation of all classes of monks at Vikramaśīlā. There was an Assembly of 8,000 Bhikshus. First entered Vidyā Kokila who was to preside over it. The more distinguished monks were given reserved seats. The Raja of Vikramaśīlā (King of Magadha) was given an exalted seat. "But none of the monks, old or young, rose from their seats to mark his arrival." But all the monks, including the king, rose from their seats when the learned monk, Vīra Vajra, entered. Last came Atiśa "from whose waist hung down a bundle of keys". He held the keys as the warden of several hostels or monasteries at Vikramaśīlā.