Handbook of Jainology

SR No.: 001346
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhuvanbhanusuri
Publisher: Divya Darshan Trust
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 288
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Philosophy
File Size: 15 MB

Page 223

31
SADHU DHARMA
The Method of entering the Sadhu dharma: The main objective of carrying out true endeavours relating to Dharma are the following; being liberated from Samsar, being separated from the loved ones, the appearance of calamities, disease, sorrow, physical, psychological and inherited maladies. A human being has to liberate himself from the slavery to these karmas. When he does so, the desire to discard these things and to attain Moksha appears. This is renunciation.
Even after one attains the spirit of renunciation, one may remain a householder, on account of moha (infatuation) and inability, and still can carry out dharma as a householder. But in his daily-life though he is living as a householder, he may cause the death of the Shadkayajivas and may commit sins of the 18 stanas or sources. This may appear hard and vexing to him. Therefore, he tries to strengthen his hard spirit of renunciation and his spiritual energy. As he keeps progressing on this path, he will be disgusted with dwelling in a house with his relatives, with wealth and occupation. Then, he surrenders his life at the feet of a worthy and noble spiritual head; and from that point onwards, he becomes absorbed deeply in leading the arduous life of a Sadhu, observing the severe vows of non-violence, self-discipline etc.
The spiritual head examining his strength and cautiousness gives him deeksha on the witness of the Arihant paramatma by making him take the severe samayik vow to discard and renounce all sinful activities throughout his life. This is how one is initiated into the Sadhudharma. Before he becomes a muni, he is given another name so that he may not remember any past experiences of his life. This is the smaller deeksha, the samayik charitra.
After this, the muni is given training in the performance of the austerities relating to Sadhudharma and in giving protection to the Shadjivas like Prithvikay. He is also made to study the scriptures. After this, he is made to perform Tapa