ISSN 1076-9005
Volume 18, 2011
Tithiyaparivāsa vis-à-vis Noviciation in Theravādin Monasticism
Ven. Pandita (Burma)
University of Kelaniya
Tithiyaparivāsais a particular type of probation in Theravādin monasticism that former ascetics of certain heretic groups must undergo if they wish to gain admission to the Buddhist Order. In the extant probation procedure as found in the Pāli Vinaya tradition, there is no explicit accounting for the stage of novicehood. Why? This paper attempts to answer that question and in the process discovers an unexpected insight into the legally ambiguous status of noviciation.