Analysis of the Relationship of Upajjhāyavatta and Saddhivihārikavatta

Abstract

This research has 2 objectives : 1) to study Upajjhāyavatta and Saddhivihārika in Theravada Buddhism; 2) to analyze the relationship between Upajjhāyavatta and Saddhivihārika. It was qualitative study focusing on document investigation.

The results found that Upajjhāyavatta or preceptor refers to practical codes which Saddhivihārika or disciples should do to their preceptor, such as offering a toothpick, face washing water, seat, rice porridge early in the morning, and helping to take care of the preceptor when he was sick, etc., and Saddhivihārikavatta is a bounded duties that a preceptor must give to his Saddhivihārika, keeping in mind that all Saddhivihārika are his own sons. Having completed performance, the preceptor and the disciples will respect, live harmoniously, and be kind to the disciples, such as providing the best study, other necessities, and when some disciple was sick, he would take care of them until recovering, etc. Analysis of the relationship between preceptor and disciples was divided into; 1) Preceptor must remain a good wish  towards disciples, such as motivation to ordain for defilement conquering, repaying the kindness of parents, and for sustainable peaceful ordination, 2) Saddhivihārika must maintain a good mind towards preceptor as a father, teacher, a good example for monks and laity, a supporter for the best relationship of preceptor and disciples,  having a relationship holding the preceptor is like a father to disciples, like a father and a son, such as taking care of and serving, etc. It promotes a good relationship between preceptor, like a father to a son, and there is a relationship where the Saddhivihārika is like a son to the preceptor, which is a comparison between a son and a father, the preceptor takes care of their disciples as if it were his own son, such as providing education, etc. It is to promote a good relationship between the disciples as if they were sons to the preceptor.