| Temples & Legends Of Assam |
| |
 |
| Temples & Legends Of
India |
|
|
|
THE SATRAS - III |
|
|
In these religious
services, songs are sung, religious texts are chanted and recited and extracts from
the biographies of the saints are read out to the gathering. At these services drums
are beaten, cymbals are tinkled, earthen lamps are lighted and sacred food is
offered. At the close of the services mah-prasad
is distributed to the gathering.
It should be noted that the Satras work both as seats
of religious learning and residential-schools. The Bhaktas live here under the
guardianship of the Satradhikar, who is responsible
both for their temporal welfare and spiritual progress. Further, each pupil monk
when he comes to enter the monastic life is immediately placed under the charge of a
senior or elderly bhakta. During the probationary period the pupil-monk serves as aldhara or personal attendant to the senior bhakta,
who as a guide train him in monastic life, discipline, liturgy and doctrinal practices.
The pupil - monks also receive education from other functionaries of the Satra, particularly from Bhagavati
and Pathak. They impart instructions both orally
and through written tests and services. |
[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ] |
|
|
|
