Life and works of Alexander Csoma de Körös : $b A biography compiled chiefly from hitherto unpublished dataDuka, Tivadar
History
Life and works of Alexander Csoma de Körös : $b A biography compiled chiefly from hitherto unpublished data
Duka, Tivadar
Kőrösi Csoma, Sándor, 1784-1842
The Dulva is the first division of the Kahgyur. The whole of the
Kahgyur consists of one hundred volumes, of which thirteen are allotted
to the Dulva, in Sanskrit, called Vinaya or Discipline, being the
introduction to the whole Buddhist Encyclopædia, containing
descriptions of observances to be practised by the votaries of
Buddhism, but more especially by those persons, whether male or female,
who adopt a religious life. These observances are of a very
comprehensive description, extending not only to moral and ceremonial
duties, but to modes of personal deportment, and to the different
articles of food and attire. The precepts are interspersed with
legendary accounts, recording the occasions on which Shakya thought it
necessary to communicate his particular instructions to his disciples.
The Dulva comprises seven portions; some authorities divide it into
four.
The first of the seven portions, the Vinaya vastu in Sanskrit,
Dul-va-zhi in Tibetan, treats of the circumstances under which the
religious profession may be adopted. It opens with an account of the
hostilities that prevailed between the kings of Anga and Magadha, until
the latter was overpowered and made tributary to the former.
The particulars of Shakya’s birth are not enumerated at this place, but
we find here an account of his two first disciples, viz., Sariputra and
Magalyana, two young philosophical Brahmans, who, being attracted by
his teaching, attached themselves to his person.
The doctrine of Shakya was patronised by the King Vimbasara; at
Rajagriha he enjoyed great fame and made numerous converts. The mode in
which his converts were received into the order of monks, either by
himself or by his disciples, is described. Two presidents are
appointed, and five classes of teachers ordained. Questions to be
discussed are given, and a description is given of persons who are from
bodily imperfections or disease inadmissible. A variety of rules on the
subject of admission is laid down.
The conduct of the person after admission is regulated, various moral
obligations are prescribed; resignation and forbearance under
maltreatment or when reviled are particularly inculcated.
Stories are related of improprieties committed by some of the juvenile
members of the community, and, in consequence, Shakya rules that none
shall be admitted who are under fifteen, and that no priest be ordained
under twenty years of age. He prohibits the admission of slaves,
debtors, runaways, hermaphrodites, diseased or maimed persons, of young
men without consent of their parents, and of individuals who have
families dependent on them. No person is to be admitted except in a
full conclave, and no one is allowed to reside among the monks without
ordination; no thieves, parricides, matricides, or murderers are to be
admitted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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