Concept of Pancasila in Indian Thaought

SR No.: 001666
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamla Jain
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi
Publication Year: 1983
Total Pages: 290
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Principle
File Size: 16 MB

Page 245

230 The Concept of Pañcasila in Indian Thought found some Jaina monks using golden spectacles or keeping Bank-notes, but these are the obvious instances of the transgression of this precept. For accepting, for example, a piece of cloth worth Pataliputra rupees 18, the monk has to undergo a punishment called caturguru, and like that more and more severe punishments are inflicted upon him as the objects become costlier and costlier. If he accepts an object costing rupees 50000, he is awarded anavasthäpya punishment and for accepting an object of the cost of rupees 100000, the punishment is pārāñcika.1 Even for the use of requisites proper rules have been framed; violations of them, i.e. using the requisites etc. negligently or without permission, are also to be understood as transgressions pertaining to this vow. These are mainly discussed in the Nisitha Sutra and its bhāșya.
The Apuvrata
The laity's vow of aparigraha is referred to by a few synonyms, such as smaller vow of non-possession (aparigraha-aņuvrata),3 vow of limitation of possessions (parigraha parimāņavrata),4 vow of abstention from major kinds of possession (sthūlaparigraha viramaņavrata)5 and the vow of limitation of desires (Icchāparimāņavrata). All these synonyms help in giving a clear picture of the laity's vow. However 'icchā-parimāņa vrata' used for the partial vow of non-possession is the most proper term, because it depicts the essence of the vow, i. e, the limitation of desires themselves and not merely of possessions, and therefore it gives an esoteric interpretation of the vow. 'Possession' and the desire to possess' are inter-related and that is why in the detailed account of this precept
1. Bịh. Kalp. bhā., IV, 3893-98. 2. Jaina Monastic Jurisprudence-S. B. Deo, p. 75. 3. Śrā. Prati. (5th aņuvrata). 4. Ibid.
Ibid. 6. Upāsakadasāngasūtra, 1.17; Sthānānga, 5.1