The Foundations of Buddhism

The Buddhist Community 99

or Paq1sukulika groups did not necessarily dwell in the forest or

wear rag robes. The tendency of the laity to direct their special

gifts and particular devotions towards monks whose lifestyle

approximates most closely to the traditional ascetic ide:;tl at once

invests them with power and threatens to undermine the basis

of that power. Their monastic establishments become the most

prosperous and, as a consequence, their ascetic tradition was most

in danger of being compromised.^39 Yet the ideal of the wan-

derer intent on the Buddhist monk's traditional spiritual quest

continued to be seen as embodied in the forest-dwelling or rag

robe-wearing monk, and the periodic attempt to re-establish the

ancient ascetic ideal is one of the defining features of the history

of Buddhist monasticism. But, as the following story illustrates,

it is the spirit of that ancient ideal that inspires the tradition, not

the letter.

Two friends, it seems, were ordained as monks at Thiiparama

(one of the monasteries belonging to the Mahavihara) in

Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka.^40 One went off

to Pac1nakhal)<;laraji, a forest monastery in the east; the. other.

remained at Thuparama. Ten years passed by. One day it occurred

to the monk at Pac1nakhal)<;laraji that he should invite his old

friend to come and practise at this secluded forest monastery. He

set off for Anuradhapura. There he was welcomed by his former
companion. Over the course of the day the visiting monk was
continually waiting for choice foods and other comforts to be
provided by servants, attendants, and lay supporters. But none
was forthcoming. Instead they wandered through Anuradhapura
and got only a ladleful of gruel. As the two wandered through
the town, the visiting monk enquired whether his friend always
lived in such a frugal manner. When he was told that he did, the
visitor reminded him that Pactnakhal)<;laraji was comfortable

and suggested that they go there. As they passed the gate of the

city the other elder took the road to Pactnakhal)<;laraji.
'Why do you take this road?' asked the visitor.
'Didn't you just recommend Pactnakhal)<;laraji?'

'But don't you have some extra possessions in this place

where you have lived so long?'