:: 3. The Bhikkhu and the Brahmin. ::
1. Is the Bhikkhu the same as the Brahmin ? The answer to this question is also in the negative. 2. The discussion of the subject has not been concentrated at any one place. It is scattered all over. But the points of distinction can be easily summed up.
3. A Brahmin is a priest. His main function is to perform certain ceremonies connected with birth, marriage and death.
4. These ceremonies become necessary because of the doctrines of original sin which requires ceremonies to wash it off, and because of the belief in God and in Soul.
5. For these ceremonies a priest is necessary. A Bhikkhu does not believe in original sin, in God and Soul. There are, therefore, no ceremonies to be performed. He is, therefore, not a priest.
6. A Brahmin is born. A Bhikkhu is made.
7. A Brahmin has a caste. A Bhikkhu has no caste. 8. Once a Brahmin always a Brahmin. No sin, no crime can unmake a Brahmin.
9. But once a Bhikkhu is not always a Bhikkhu. A Bhikkhu is made. So he can be unmade if by his conduct he makes himself unworthy of remaining a Bhikkhu.
10. No mental or moral training is necessary for being a Brahmin. All that is expected (only expected) of him is to know his religious lore.
11. Quite different is the case of the Bhikkhu, mental and moral training is his life-blood.
12. A Brahmin is free to acquire unlimited amount of property for himself. A Bhikkhu on the other hand cannot,
13. This is no small difference. Property is the severest limitation upon the mental and moral independence of man both in respect of thought and action. It produces a conflict between the two. That is why the Brahmin is always opposed to change. For, to him a change means loss of power and loss of pelf.
14. A Bhikkhu having no property is mentally and morally free. In his case there are no personal interests which can stand in the way of honesty and integrity.
15. They are Brahmins. None the less each Brahmin is an individual by himself. There is no religious organisation to which he is subordinate. A Brahmin is a law unto himself. They are bound by common interests which are material.
16. A Bhikkhu on the other hand is always a member of the Sangh. It is inconceivable that there could be a Bhikkhu without his being a member of the Sangh. A Bhikkhu is not a law unto himself. He is subordinate* to the Sangh. The Sangh is a spiritual organisation.
1. Is the Bhikkhu the same as the Brahmin ? The answer to this question is also in the negative. 2. The discussion of the subject has not been concentrated at any one place. It is scattered all over. But the points of distinction can be easily summed up.
3. A Brahmin is a priest. His main function is to perform certain ceremonies connected with birth, marriage and death.
4. These ceremonies become necessary because of the doctrines of original sin which requires ceremonies to wash it off, and because of the belief in God and in Soul.
5. For these ceremonies a priest is necessary. A Bhikkhu does not believe in original sin, in God and Soul. There are, therefore, no ceremonies to be performed. He is, therefore, not a priest.
6. A Brahmin is born. A Bhikkhu is made.
7. A Brahmin has a caste. A Bhikkhu has no caste. 8. Once a Brahmin always a Brahmin. No sin, no crime can unmake a Brahmin.
9. But once a Bhikkhu is not always a Bhikkhu. A Bhikkhu is made. So he can be unmade if by his conduct he makes himself unworthy of remaining a Bhikkhu.
10. No mental or moral training is necessary for being a Brahmin. All that is expected (only expected) of him is to know his religious lore.
11. Quite different is the case of the Bhikkhu, mental and moral training is his life-blood.
12. A Brahmin is free to acquire unlimited amount of property for himself. A Bhikkhu on the other hand cannot,
13. This is no small difference. Property is the severest limitation upon the mental and moral independence of man both in respect of thought and action. It produces a conflict between the two. That is why the Brahmin is always opposed to change. For, to him a change means loss of power and loss of pelf.
14. A Bhikkhu having no property is mentally and morally free. In his case there are no personal interests which can stand in the way of honesty and integrity.
15. They are Brahmins. None the less each Brahmin is an individual by himself. There is no religious organisation to which he is subordinate. A Brahmin is a law unto himself. They are bound by common interests which are material.
16. A Bhikkhu on the other hand is always a member of the Sangh. It is inconceivable that there could be a Bhikkhu without his being a member of the Sangh. A Bhikkhu is not a law unto himself. He is subordinate* to the Sangh. The Sangh is a spiritual organisation.
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