First Steps to Jainism Part 1

SR No.: 001640
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 300
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Education
File Size: 10 MB

Page 63

The Three Jewels 49
have to be guarded against by the laity (a) suggest methods of stealing (b) receiving stolen property (e) smuggling or evading law (d) adulteration and (e) use of false weights and measures. These also suggest the vast scope of the vow of non-stealing.
67. Fourth vow of Refraining from Incontinence or practising chastity (Brahamcharya vrata)-Any act mental, verbal or physical impelled by sexual passion on the part of a couple or an individual is called incontinence. To refrain from the same in the fourth vow of chastity. The importance of this vow is obvious and it has been emphasised not only in Jainism but by all religions more or less. Adherence to this vow requires that saints observe it wholly and the laity (men or women) observe it partly by contenting with sexual relations with one's spouse only.
68. The five faults peculiar to this vow are (a) sex out of wedlock; (b) unnatural sexual gratification; (c) lewd behaviour; (d) excessive passion for one's spouse and (e) association with immoral persons. These have to be guarded against for proper observance of this vow by the laity.
69. Fifth vow of non-attachment to property (Aparigraha)-Nonattachment or non-attraction towards possessions is the real criteria behind the vow of non-attachment to property. Saints try to over-come all attachment or involvement with any type of property while the laity prescribe limits to their property of different types which they do not exceed under this vow.
70. Laity can limit their possessions in three ways (a) By providing limit at the level higher than what one possesses. This is inferior type of nonattachment, (b) By providing limit at a level what one actually possesses, this is medium type and (c) By fixing limit at a level lower than what one possesses, this is the best type.
71. The concept of major and minor vows of Jainism which are synonymous with right conduct has already been clarified. To recapitulate, in brief, five major vows prescribed for ascetics require complete renunciation of violence, untruth, theft, non-chastity and attachment to possessions or complete adherence to non-violence,