History of Jaina Monachism

SR No.: 001727
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 616
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & History
File Size: 12 MB

Page 169

164
S. B. DEO
Where to Obtain Proper Clothes :
The monks had to seek proper clothing from the householders only within a distance of half a yojana, and nobody was allowed to go beyond this limit normally. 127
How to Get Them?
After seeking the permission of the guru, the monks went in search of proper clothing. The main source for them was the devoted householders. Going to them, they told the householder the specific type of clothing they wanted. When such a clothing was obtained, they scanned it to see whether it contained living beings or any other impurities. They were allowed to get such clothes as were not needed by the householder.128
Whatever was offered was to be accepted there and then after inspecting it. No future promises regarding clothing were to be accepted.129 The monks were also allowed to reject such clothes as were not fit for them, or as were not likely to last long.130
Under particular vows, the monk put restrictions on himself regarding either the quality of the cloth, or the nature of the donor, or the way in which it was offered, and so on.131 In this case it may be noted that many of the rules regarding clothing were identical with those of food.
Using the Clothes :
No washing or cleaning of clothes either with ground drugs or with water was allowed. The monks, however, were allowed to dry their clothes on a heap of ash or of bones after carefully examining them.132 The monk was neither allowed to dye his clothes nor use coloured clothes. In case, however, he did not get proper clothing then he was permitted to sew different pieces together.133
Jinakappiyas and Therakappiyas :
The monks either followed the Jinakappa (or the mode of life resembling that of the Jina), or the Therakappa (corporate or group life).134 Even
127. Acar, II, 5, 1, 2 (p. 157). 128. Ibid., II, 5, 1, 6-9 (pp. 158-59). 129. Ibid., II, 5, 1, 10 (p. 159). 130. Ibid. II, 5, 1, 11-15 (pp. 160-61). 131. Thān. p. 251b. 132. Acār. II, 5, 1, 17-23 (pp. 162-63). 133. Ibid. II, 5, 1, 1 (p. 157). 134. Thān. p. 167b.