Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

SR No.: 001597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 460
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Literature, & Language
File Size: 22 MB

Page 42

Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
towards reverential personalities.
It is so very important to mark that Vinaya forms the subject of the first Chapter or Sermon of the Uttarādhyayana- sūtra, an important Mūla-sutra belonging to the Ardhamāgadhi Canon, which is meant for the instruction and training of the younger monks. Muni Sri Nathamallaji, in his introduction to this Chapter (Āmukha, p.3) of this Sūtra cdited by himself, gives on the strenght of some canonical works, the following five mcanings of Vinaya:
1. Anuvartana - regard, obedience, following 2. Pravartana - Proper behaviour, governing 3. Anusasana - enjoined rule of conduct, or precept 4. Susrüşā - service to teachers and elders 5. Sistacara- paripalana - due observance of good manners
He then notes that, in this Chapter all these meaningful clements are propounded. He furiher observes that this Chapter represents all the aspects of Vinaya and in it they are systematically explained for the younger monks, for the reason that in ancient days a well-maintained the teacher-pupil tradition had great importance in monastic circles, which protected and perpetuated the Sacred Law taught by the Jina.
Canonical and other works generally classify Vinaya into five kinds :
1. Jaanta-vinaya - regard for knowledge 2. Darsana-vinaya - regard for faith 3. Cāritra-vinaya - regard for conduct 4. Tapa-vinaya - pleasant attitude towards austerity. 5. Upacara-vinaya - Observance of good manners with others.
The first four arc of basic value and the last one is concerned with the day to day practical life. The Tapa-vinaya is further divided into 3 kinds: mental, verbal and physical (bodily service), which are further divided into two : direct indirect. All this shows the extent of dcfth to which the Jaina Seers have gone while formulating the scope of their concct of Vinaya.