Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka

by I. B. Horner | 2014 | 386,194 words | ISBN-13: 9781921842160

The English translation of the Khandhaka: the second book of the Pali Vinaya Pitaka, one of the three major ‘baskets’ of Therevada canonical literature. It is a collection of various narratives. The English translation of the Vinaya-pitaka (third part, khandhaka) contains many Pali original words, but transliterated using a system similar to the I...

Allowance to proclaim by clan

Kd.1.74.1 Now at that time (a person) wished for ordination from the venerable Kassapa the Great.[1] Then the venerable Kassapa the Great sent a message to the venerable Ānanda, saying: “Let Ānanda come, he will proclaim[2] this (person).” The BD.4.119 venerable Ānanda spoke thus:

“I am not able to pronounce[3] the elder’s[4] name (for) the elder is my teacher[5].” Vin.1.93 They told this matter to the Lord. He said:

I allow you, monks, to proclaim merely by clan (-name).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

At AN.i.23 called “chief of those who uphold the ascetic practices”. Verses at Thag.1051–1090. He exchanged robes with Gotama, SN.ii.221.

[2]:

anussāveti, in technical meaning of proclaiming the resolution three times after the motion for ordaining a person had been put before an Order. Cf. Kd.1.28.3Kd.1.28.6.

[3]:

gahetuṃ, a word with a variety of meanings; here meaning “to pronounce” in sense of “to take”, cf. “to take his name in vain”. Since Ānanda calls Kassapa his guru (garu me), and if we equate guru with ācariya, spiritual teacher or father (cf. pitucitta, Vin.1.45, Vin.1.60), it was not suitable for Ānanda to “take” (pronounce) his “father’s” name. The use of the gotta (clan) name is less intimate and therefore permissible. Cf. Kauṣitakī Upaṇiṣad 2.11.7 where the father “takes his son’s name”, nāma asya gṛṇhati. I am indebted for this note to A.K. Coomaraswamy. Mahākassapa’s reference to Ānanda as kumāraka, young boy at SN.ii.218 should also be noted.

[4]:

I.e. Mahākassapa’s, as stated at Vinaya Texts i.228. For in making the proclamations, Ānanda would have had to say that so-and-so wished to be ordained by Kassapa.

[5]:

garu, probably equivalent to guru, spiritual teacher. Cf. garunissaya at Vin.2.303.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: