PROCEDURE OF INSTALLING ONE PAKSHIYA BHIKSHU ON A POST
VYAVAHĀRA SŪTRA [21 of 93]
SECOND UDDEŚAKA [6 of 7]
PROCEDURE OF INSTALLING ONE PAKSHIYA BHIKSHU ON A POST
A bhikshu who has been initiated by an Ācārya and who has learnt scriptures from that very Ācārya is called ek-pakshiya bhikshu. He can be installed on the post of Ācārya or Upādhyāya for a short period or for life. He can have such post and keeping note of the situation and the interest of the group such an action can be taken.
Elaboration:
An Ācārya or Upādhyāya should appoint suitable monk as Ācārya or Upādhyāya during his lifetime so that the organization may run well.
The reasons for appointment for a short period are as under:
(1) The Ācārya in office may desire to be free from the responsibility of running the organization for treatment of his particular illness or for undertaking special ascetic austerities.
(2) He may like to have deeper study of scriptures under the guidance of another Ācārya, Upādhyāya or he may have to go to teach scriptures to others or to assist them on the study.
(3) The bhikshu who deserves that post has not yet completed his studies.
Reasons for installing at the post for life are as follows:
(1) When the Ācārya, Upādhyāya feels that he is at the fag end of his life.
(2) When he is pretty old or he has been suffering since long from an icurable disease.
(3) When he wants to undertake special ascetic practices such as Jinkalp and the like.
The interpretation of the word ‘Ek-pakshik’ mentioned in the aphorism is as under:
TECHNICAL TERM:
Ek-pakshik: It is of two types
(1) In respect of scriptural knowledge,
(2) In respect of initiation in monkhood.
A monk is ek-pakshik in respect of scriptural knowledge if he has learnt scriptures from one master or whose scriptural knowledge is equivalent to that of the Ācārya and the like.
A bhikshu is ek-pakshik in respect of initiation in monkhood who after initiation in a group, clan or organisation has remained stable in monkhood in that organization.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/692614454130155/permalink/1469374289787497/
