प्राचीन भारत में शिक्षा (डॉ. ए.एस. अल्तेकर - गुरुकुल एवं बौद्ध विहार शिक्षण इतिहास)

X] CONTRIBUTION OF THE BUDDHISM 227
less than eight years old. The permission of the
guardian was necessary. The Upasampadā was given
after the end of the noviciate period, and the recepient
had to be not less than twenty years old. ¹If he was
a debtor, an invalid or a government servant, he was
refused admission. The ordination could take place
only with the consent of the whole chapter. There
were no caste restrictions for admission (ante, p.),
The novice had to affirm his faith in the Buddha,
his Dhamma (gospel) and Saṅgha (the Order), and
select a learned person as his preceptor. He was
to follow strictly the rules and discipline of the Order ;
if he was guilty of any serious breach of discipline,
he could be expelled by a meeting of the chapter.
Like the Hindu Brahmachārī (student), he was
expected to beg his daily food ; but he was also
permitted to accept invitations for meals from laymen.
He was to do all manual and menial work connected
with the monastic life, e. g. cleansing its floor and
utensils, bringing water, supervising its stores, etc.
The Relation between the Novice and his Teacher
were filial in character ; they were united together by
mutual reverence, confidence and affection. Like the
Hindu Brahmachārin, the Buddhist novice was to help
his teacher by doing a variety of manual work for him ;
he was to carry his seat and robes, supply him water
and tooth stick, cleanse his begging bowl and utensils
and accompany him as an attendant when he
proceeded to the town or village for begging or
preaching. The teacher was to teach the student
the rules of etiquette and discipline, draw his

1. Like Upanayana, it has been compared to a spiritual birth ;
   Cf. अरियाय जातितो जातो Majjhima Nikāya, II. p. 108 ; Therīgāthā,
   No. 17.