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 176

The Conduct of a Jaina Monk
159 (vi) Liking (vii) Disliking (viii) Sorrow (ix) Fear
(x) Disgust (xi-xiv) Four kaşāyas.1 Eight essentials (pravacanamātīkās) of the conduct of a monk :
Self-control and vigilance in conduct are the two chief moral virtues. Self-control is three-fold : physical, mental and vocal. Vigilance in conduct is classified under five heads : vigilance in moving, speaking, taking food, keeping and receiving food and evacuating bowels. Three-fold selfcontrol is mainly negative in its implication while the five-fold vigilance is positive. These eight together protect the Ratnatraya of a monk just as a mother protects her child; and are, therefore, called pravacanātrkā.3 The five vows, discussed above, are the guiding principles of morality, whereas these pravacanamāt,kās are the means to put those principles into practice. The three 'guptis'
The guptis' (the word is derived from the root 'gup') protect the monk from sin. The ātman receives a shelter in these guptis against the mundane circle of birth and death."
Mano-gupti means freedom from thought of passions, delusions, attachment, aversion and such other impure thoughts. Vāggupti means avoidance of talks about women, politics, theft, food, etc. and refraining from telling a lie. Kāyagupti means renunciation of such violent actions as piercing, beating, contracting, expanding, etc.?
1. Puruşārthasiddhyupāya, 116. 2. Uttarādhyayana, 24.26. Also Pūjyapada on Tattvārthasūtra. 9.4-5.
Mülācāra, 5-39. 4. A: FATTAI RUTTETTHET! Than Hafa i
-Pujyapāda on Tattvārthasūtra. 9.2. 5. Niyamasāra, 66. 6. Ibid., 67. 7. Ibid., 68.