Teachers Qualified To Ordain Noble Sons
TEACHERS QUALIFIED TO ORDAIN NOBLE SONS
Ordaining and bringing up pupils in the Buddha sāsana is a serious matter. Noble sons ordained by unskilled bhikkhūs who fail to point out minor and major mistakes committed by the pupils, give necessary advice to send them on the correct path and improve them by teaching the Dhamma vinaya will go on the wrong path and result in the deterioration of their status in this and the world after. Bhikkhūs who ordain others and fail to train and discipline their pupils according to the Dhamma vinaya commit a grave injustice to their pupils. Therefore, the Tathagata did not grant permission for all bhikkhūs to have pupils. “Anujānāmi bikkhave, vyattena bhikkhunā paIibalena dasavassena vā atirekadasavassena vā upasampādetun nissayan dātun”. Only the learned capable bhikkhūs who have passsed ten years or more after higher ordination are granted permission to have pupils. If an unqualified bhikkhu becomes a preceptor (Upādya) and ordain others, it will be an offence.
The Tathāgata on many occasions and in many ways stated the qualities of people suited and unsuited to become preceptors and bring up pupils. They can be seen in the Mahākhandhaka of the mahāvagga PāIi. A bhikkhu who has spent at least ten years after higher ordination and is capable of training the pupil in tudus khandhakaya and Dhamma vinaya, can dispel any discontent as it occurs, can clear doubts that may occur on any matter with the help of Dhamma vinaya, nurse the pupil or arrange for nursing if he becomes ill is suitable to ordain pupils. It must be said that according to vinaya, the lack of large temples, rich benefactors, many temples, land and paddy fields and sufficient wealth to educate pupils at pirivenas and colleges are not disqualifications to ordain pupils. However, it cannot be said that, according to present day conditions, bhikkhūs who do not have a place that they can control as they wish are suitable to ordain others.
The teacher who ordains a noble son, discipline him by advice, look into his welfare, and improve him by teaching the Dhamma vinaya is the preceptor. “Upacchāyo bhikkhave, saddhivihārikamhi puttacittam upaiihapessati, saddhivihāriko upacchāyamhi pitucittam upaiihapessati”, as declared by the Tathāgata, the preceptor must consider the pupil as his son. The pupil also must consider the preceptor to be like his father. Living with such mutual faith will develop them in this sāsana.
