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After having attained Enlightenment, the Buddha wandered from place to place in India, teaching
his discoveries to people and showing the way that leads all beings to the experience of awakening and liberation
from samsara, for 45 years. As a result, during the period, many Indians turned themselves to Buddhism and
got ordinated. The Buddha passed away at the age of eighty.
The Buddha's Five Daily Routines
The Buddha's daily routine was divided into five parts;
1. The Morning Session -- Going on a daily almsround to collect food, to give the laypeople the
opportunity to make merit
2. The Afternoon Session -- Taking a seat in the monastery to expose the Dhamma to people
3. The First Watch -- Answering the Dhamma questions and exposing the Dhamma to Bhikkhus,
giving Dhamma lecture, and clarify the doubts of Bhikkhus.
4. The Middle Watch -- Answering questions of the devas
5. The Last Watch -- Surveying the whole world with his Buddha-Eye to see whether he could be
of service to any.
Buddhism Followers
The Four Groups of Buddhism Followers include Bhikkhu (monks), Bhikkhuni (female monks),
laymen, and laywomen.
Bhikkhu or monk refers to an ordained male monastic in Buddhism, who keeps 227 precepts in their
every day life. “Kaundinya” was the first Buddhist monk follower of Buddha.
Bhikkhuni or female monk refers to an ordained female monastic in Buddhism, who keep 311
precepts in their every day life. Before the progression to ordination as a Bhikkhuni, a layperson must ordain as
a “Samaneri or female novitiate” before the age of 18. “Mahapajapati Gotami” was the first woman to request
the ordination of women in Buddhism, and the first Buddhist Bhikkuni.
Upasaka or Layman refers to a non-ordained male Buddhism followers who takes refuge in the
Three Jewels (also known as Three Refuges), including the Buddha, the Dharma or the teachings, and the Sangha.
Tapassu and Bhallika were the first Upasaka who went for refuge of two (to the Buddha and the Dharma.) Yasa’s
father was the first Upasaka to take refuge in the Triple Gems (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.)
Upasika or Laywoman refers to a non-ordained female Buddhism followers who takes refuge in the
Three Jewels (also known as Three Refuges). The first Upasikas was Yasa's mother and his former wife.
Besides, a boy entering ordination before the age of 20 is called “Samanera or Novitiate.” The first
Samanera in Buddhism was “Rahula.” A female novitiate is called “Samaneri.” Both Samanera and Samaneri Depicting the scene when Prince
Siddhartha is leaving for ordination.
keep the Ten Perceptions as their code of behavior. The full ordination as a Bhikku and Bhikkhuni is called
Bhuddhaisawan Chapel,
“Upasampada”. The preliminary ordination as a Samanea or Samaneri is called “Pebbaja” National Museum, Bangkok
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