Jaina Ethics

SR No.: 001334
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dayanand Bhargav
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1968
Total Pages: 314
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Principle
File Size: 15 MB

Page 154

The Conduct of a Householder
137
following four factors to be considered in dānal:
(i) The manner of giving (dānavidhi). (ii) The object which is given (dātavya). (iii) The giver (dāt;). (iv) The recipient (pātra).
Vasunandin adds the result of giving dāna as the fifth factor to this list.2
The three kinds of recipients are : (a) The best recipient, which means a Jaina ascetic.
(b) The second best recipient, which means an aspirant, who is ascending the ladder of the Pratimā.
(c) The least satisfactory recipient, which means a man with right faith but not observing the vows.
The recipients of gift are classified into three other categories of kupātra, apātra, karuņāpātra. A man who observes the moral laws but is devoid of samyagdarśana is cailed kupātra. 4 In this connection, we have already discussed the importance
samyagdarśana. Worse is apatra, who has neither samyagdarśana normoral virtues. Children, old and destitute persons are considered to be karunāpātras.
As for the giver. he must be possessed of the following seven virtues? :
(1) Faith (śraddhā) regarding the result of almsgiving
(2) Devotion (bhakti) towards the virtues of the recipient.
(3) Pleasure (tuşļi) in giving
(4) Knowledge (vijñāna) of the propriety of gifts for different types of recipients.
(5) Unattachment (alaulya) towards worldly rewards. (6) Forbearance (kşamā) even in the face of instigation.
(7) Enthusiasm (sakti) for almsgiving even if one is not so rich.
1. Pujyapāda on Tattvārthas ülra, 7.39. 2. Vasunandiśrāvakācāra, 220. 3. Ibid., 221-222. Also Puruşārthasiddhyupāya, 171; Amitagatisrāvakācāra,
10.4; Sagaradharmāmta. 5.44. 4. Amitagatistāvakācāra, 10.34-35, Also Vasunandiśrārakācāra, 223. 5. Ibid., 10.36-38. 6. Vasunandiśrävakācāra, 235. 7. Amitagatisrāvakācāra, 9.3-10. Also Vasunandiśrärakācāra 224; Sagara
dharmāmặta, 5.47.