Venerable Bhikkhu Sugatananda
Chairman,
Mahabodhi Centre for Theravada Buddhist Studies
Abstract
The Buddhist
monastic education, which is interplay of both monastic ethics as well as
scriptural training, started at the time of the Buddha and since that time, it
has been going on in an unbroken tradition of teacher to student transmission.
It is as vibrant and alive as it was at the time of the Buddha, even after a
long period of more than two thousand and six hundred years. The three levels
of Buddhist monastic education are as follows:
Pariyatti:
Learning the theoretical aspects of the teachings,
Patipatti:
Putting those theoretical aspects into practice; and
Pativedha:
Experiencing the deepest aspects of the teachings through direct knowledge
achieved through meditation.
The
ethical aspects of monastic life are very much intertwined with the study of
the Holy Scriptures. The Buddha categorically mentioned that His teachings
(Dhamma) are not for pure intellectual pursuit; it is to be practised in one’s
own life. Buddha advised his disciples to practise meditation for experiencing
the deeper, subtler and enlightening aspects of the Dhamma.
There
were two paths of training, namely, training through study of scriptures
(Ganthadhura) and understanding through one’s own meditative experiences
(Vipassanadhura). According to the Buddha the teachings are tools to fulfil the
holy life of a monastic to attain enlightenment.
Much
though he recites the sacred texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man
is like a cowherd who only counts the cows of others — he does not partake of
the blessings of the holy life. Dhammapada, Verse no. 19
Little
though he recites the sacred texts, but puts the Teaching into practice,
forsaking lust, hatred, and delusion, with true wisdom and emancipated mind,
clinging to nothing of this or any other world — he indeed partakes of the
blessings of a holy life. Dhammapada, Verse no. 20
Thus,
the Buddhist monastic education, though involves study of scriptures, its final
aim is to attain direct knowledge and realize the enlightenment. Accordingly,
the highest aspect of the Buddhist monastic training, i.e., Pativedha is considered as the
fulfilment of the monastic training, which is nothing but directly knowing and
seeing the truth by oneself.
Ven. Bhikkhu Sugatananda,
completed his Masters in Law from National Law University. He was well
established in his legal profession in New Delhi till the spiritual call came
from within. After a search he came in contact with Buddhism and decided to
renounce worldly life and join monastic life at Mahabodhi Monastery, Bangalore.
He underwent 3 years intensive Buddhist training under the tutorship of a great
Buddhist scholar of modern times, Most Venerable late Dr. Acharya
Buddharakkhita in Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma and Pali language. He edited and
published books written by the Ven.Acharya and he became editor of monthly
Buddhist magazine DHAMMA, which he continues to edit at present. Later he
became Chairman of Mahabodhi Center for Theravada Buddhist Studies, which is
the only institution in India offering Diploma, B.A. and M.A. degree courses in
Theravada Buddhism. He is running special weekend classes on Abhidhamma,
Buddhist ethical psychology