..续本文上一页 in the Buddha is “Buddham Saranam Gacchami” “To the Buddha I go for refuge.” The formula is similar for the Dhamma and Sangha.

　　3. The seventh precept Naccagitavaditavisukadassana-malagandha-vilepana-dharanamandanavibhusanttahana varamani sikkhapadam samdiyami.

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　　THE MONASTER AS TEACHER:THE FIRST BHIKKHU ORDINATIONAT CHITHURSTA report by Ajahn Anando

　　I teach the Dhamma for the abandoning ofacquisitions of self, in order that in you,who put the teaching into practice, defilingideas may be abandoned and cleansingideas increase; and that you, by realisationhere and now with direct knowledge,enter upon and abide in the fullness ofunderstanding”s perfection.... If it isthought that to do so is an unpleasantabiding, that is not true: on the contrary,by doing so there is gladness, happiness,tranquillity, mindfulness, full awarenessand a pleasant abiding.

　　Digha Nikaya IX

　　“EHI BHlKKHU!” ”Come, bhikkhu!” are the words from the Pali Canon that the Buddha used when he first ordained those interested in leading a life as a Buddhist monk (or bhikkhu). Those words were used over two millennia ago after the Blessed One ”turned the Wheel of the Law”[See Note 1] and began his ministry to aid beings lost in this world of change. The wheel has continued to turn, and on July 16th [1981] we found ourselves in the tiny village of Chithurst in West Sussex, following a procedure that has evolved in the Theravada tradition since the first invitation to Go Forth. That such an event took place says a great deal for the spiritual maturity, sincerity and generosity of the Buddhist community in Britain. The events that came to a culmination on this day once again show how perfect the natural unfolding of life can be.

　　Earlier this year, Venerable Sumedho Bhikkhu, the abbot and teacher at Chithurst Forest Monastery, was invited to Thailand by his Meditation Master, Venerable Ajahn Chah. Whilst there, he was given permission by the most senior of the bhikkhus of the Thai Sangha to perform the duties of an Upajjhaya (”Preceptor”) in Britain. Feeling it would be useful, he accepted this responsibility. However, one cannot just go out on a street corner or Hyde Park and ordain bhikkhus. A few important procedures have first to be completed. One of the most significant is establishing a boundary or sima: a specially defined area wherein acts of the Bhikkhu-Sangha may take place.

　　None of the bhikkhus at Chithurst had had much experience in performing this particular act of Sangha procedure. It is not something that often needs to take place in an ancient Buddhist country like Thailand. Although research into the correct procedure had been done, and a few likely locations in our woods were selected, there was a long pause when nothing much happened – except that the day for ordination crept closer. It has been our experience that there is indeed a ”time for all seasons” and there seemed to be a tacit understanding among bhikkhus that, as yet, it wasn”t the right time.

　　In the latter part of May, we had the good fortune to be visited by Venerable Anandamaitreya Mahanayaka [See Note 2] . On the evening of June 2nd, after the recitation of the patimokkha (the Rules of the Discipline), we asked him about the procedures for establishing a sima.

　　”Oh, it”s very simple” he said. ”In Sri Lanka, I have established over forty of them.” And with his delightful smile he asked, ”Shall we do it now

　　”

　　We looked at each other – it was just a short time until the evening meditation and, after two weeks of almost continuous rain, it looked like rain again. Sensing our hesitation, he said, ”Let us do it tomorrow then.”

　　It obviously was the right time. The local rain spirit went on holiday, and June 3r…

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