bhikṣu [bhikkhu] monk. A bhikṣu is a fully ordained male member of saṅgha who should be fully acquainted with 227 precepts prescribed for a monk. According to the Dharmaguptaka tradition the number of precepts is 250. The minimum age prescribed for a bhikṣu is twenty years. The three categories of bhikṣu-s are(1) sthavira-bhikṣu-s [therabhikkhu-s],
(2) madhyama-bhikṣu-s [majjhimabhikkhu-s], and
(3) nava-bhikṣu-s [navabhikkhu-s].
Those who have spent ten or more years in the Order belong to the first category; those who have spent five to nine years belong to the second category; and those who are less than five years belong to the third category. When an individual obtains ordination, that is, Upasaṃpadā, he is called a bhikṣu. A bhikṣu has to observe twenty-two rules. The prominent rules are: he should abstain from stealing, killing and pretence to possessing extra-ordinary powers. He must observe celibacy. Failure in observing these vows, leads to the fall of a bhikṣu and thereafter he ceases to be a bhikṣu. The rules laid down in the Vinaya Piṭaka govern the way of life of a bhikṣu. A bhikṣu has to keep himself away from material gains and all kinds of worldly pleasures. He is supposed to lead an ideal life which is simple and pure. He should possess the qualities of simplicity, modesty, morality, energy, compassion, harmlessness, endurance, devotion, knowledge, wisdom, mindfulness, and selfless service. A bhikṣu should practise morality of four kinds, namely, (1) the fundamental code (prātimokṣa saṃvara śīla) [pāṭimokkha saṃvara sīla], (2) control over the sense-organs (indriya saṃvara śīla) [indriya saṃvara sīla], (3) purity of livelihood (ājīva pariśuddhi śīla) [ājīva pārisuddhi sīla], and (4) morality regarding the necessities of life (pratyayasanniśrita śīla) [paccaya sannissita sīla]. The Buddha had proclaimed that bhikṣu-s would attain Arhatship if they are not fond of, do not delight in, do not engage themselves in business, gossiping, sleeping and indulging in society matters. In order to attain Arhatship, the bhikṣu should neither possess nor should be tempted by base desires. He should also not remain in the company of evil friends or fall prey to evil.
The Mahāvagga and Cūḷavagga of the Vinaya Piṭaka describe the duties of bhikṣu-s and novices. They are(1) duty as a guest. The visiting bhikṣu should take off his footwear, etc.
(2) duty as a host. The host bhikṣu should receive a visiting bhikṣu and should take care of his bowl and robe. If the visiting bhikṣu is senior to him, he should also offer him water for washing feet. These duties depend on the seniority of a monk.
(3) duty before going on a journey. A bhikṣu should close the doors and windows of the monastery, he should seek permission of other residents before he takes on a journey.
(4) duty to appreciate good deeds of others. A bhikṣu should not fail to appreciate good deeds performed by others.
(5) duty in refectory. A bhikṣu should perform the assigned duties in the refectory.
(6) duty regarding alms.
(7) duties in a monastery in a forest such as orientation of the place with reference to stars, providing necessities such as drinking water, etc.
(8) duties regarding living quarters such as cleaning them, etc.
(9) duties regarding bathroom.
(10) duties about the toilet.
(11) duty towards one's own preceptor.
(12) duty of a mentor towards bhikṣu-s and novices.
(13) duty towards mentors. A disciple should get up early and offer his mentor water for washing; he should also serve him breakfast; he should clean the sleeping quarters.
(14) duty of a teacher towards one's disciple.
A bhikṣu is free to leave the Order, if he so desires.
Aṅguttara Nikāya. Dutiyasekha, Paṭhamasekha. Dīgha Nikāya. Pāsādika. Majjhima Nikāya. Cūḷasaccaka, Dhammadāyāda, Mahāgopālaka, Vattha. Saṃyutta Nikāya. Bhikkhu. Vinaya. Mahāvagga. I .2.4-10; I. 3.1-7.
bhikṣu
(Sanskrit; Pāli, bhikkhu). A Buddhist monk, an ordained member of the Saṃgha. The etymology of the term is uncertain, as is that of its female equivalent, a nun or bhikṣunī. During the lifetime of the Buddha, ordination was conferred by a simple formula on all individuals who chose to join voluntarily, were of a minimum age and had no disqualifying conditions such as being a criminal or the bearer of a contagious disease. As the community grew, however, additional procedures came to be required. Soon after the Buddha's death two separate ordination ceremonies were adopted: pravrajyā, literally meaning ‘going forth’ and upasaṃpadā, or ordination proper. Candidates cannot be admitted to pravrajyā and become novices (śrāmaṇera) before the age of 8. A śrāmaṇera acquires two patrons, a preceptor (upādhyāya) and a master (ācārya), whose companion (sārdhavihārin) and pupil (antevāsin) respectively he becomes. At age 20 (or older), a novice could ask for full ordination, the details of which are fixed by the ritual texts called karmavācanā, and which is conferred by a chapter of at least ten monks. At this point, in order to determine the new monk's rank, the day and hour of his ordination are noted. It should be noted that neither of these ordinations are considered lifelong commitments, and the novice or monk may put off his robes and leave the order at any time.
In order to maintain the highest level of respect among the lay community which supports him and his personal quest for religious attainment, the bhikṣu has to adhere to the moral discipline outlined in the portion of the Buddhist canon known as the Vinaya Piṭaka. The regulations for the conduct of the fully ordained monk are set out in the Prātimokṣa (Pāli, Pāṭimokkha) and consist of more than 200 rules arranged in categories according to the penalty prescribed. Twice a month, bhikṣus in a given area assemble to celebrate the poṣadha (Pāli, uposatha) ceremony and recite the Prātimokṣa. There is no difference in principle between Theravāda and Mahāyāna monastic observances. Originally, the community of bhikṣus was a mendicant order which travelled extensively, other than during the rainy season, and required only limited necessities. Monks were allowed to possess only their robes, a begging-bowl, razor, needle, staff, and toothpick. Food was obtained by begging, and no fixed residence was permitted. In time, the eremitical ideal diminished, and wandering gave way to a settled, monastic way of life. While in the Theravāda tradition bhikṣus continue a life that does not permit work or marriage, monks of the Mahāyāna tradition may include work in their daily activity, and monks in particular Tibetan and Japanese schools are permitted to marry. Given the nature of a bhikṣu's life, monks have always had to rely on the material support of the lay community, and in time, a balance of exchange between lay-people and monks was established (see dāna), through which both could advance by mutual support. This relationship forms the dynamic base of Theravādin societies. Also, in some Theravāda communities of south-east Asia it is required (or at least desirable) that a layman should spend a period during the rainy season as a bhikṣu (see temporary ordination).
Bhikṣu 比丘 A monk, who has left home, been fully ordained, and depends on alms for a living.
bhikṣu: A fully ordained male member of theSaṅgha.
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