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 172

HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
167
Muhapatti :
It was a piece of cloth154 tied over the mouth and nose by the monks to prevent small insects from entering their mouth and getting killed.
It may be noted that this article gets reference frequently in somewhat later texts of the Anga series. Its subsidiary importance is hinted by its absence in the fourfold list of the principal articles used by the monks 155
Gocchaga :
The 'gocchaga'156 was a piece of cloth used in cleaning the alms-bowl. No other details regarding this can be had.
Besides this, the Bhagavati also mentions the latthi or the stick used by the monks.157
The articles which the monk had to keep with him, have been noted above. Besides these, we come across a number of others which he used for a temporary period and returned to the owner when his job was done.
Bedding and Seats :
In the texts we frequently come across the phrase 'pāļihāriyam pīdhaphalagasejjāsanthāragam'.158 The meaning of the phrase is 'returnable stool, plank, bedding and mat'.
These articles were to be obtained from the householder and were to be returned to him after the monk had finished his work with these.
The actual bedding of a monk consisted either of grass, stone or a wooden plank. On the bed of grass the monk lay down after carefully inspecting the absence of any living beings. Then wiping his body he slept over it keeping such a distance from others as was not likely to make his limbs touch those of others.159
154. Nāyā. p. 164; Bhag. 139a; Uttar. 26, 23: Vivāga. p. 8.
155. SCHÜBRING remarks: "It is characteristic of the dependence of the Jainas on Brāhmanical model, that the mouthpiece that they (Brahmins) did not know, is not mentioned in the series of articles"-Die Lehre der Jainas, article 145, (Tr. by MARATHE for me).
156. Uttar. 26, 23; comm.: pätrakoparivarcyupakaranam. Bhag. p. 374b. 157. p. 374b.
158. Näyä. p. 76; Bhag. 134b; Ācār. II, 3, 1, 2 (p. 136); II, 7, 1, 4 (p. 172); Stkr. 2, 2, 76 (p. 383).
159. Acar. II, 2, 3, 25-27 (pp. 134-35); Uttar. XVII, 14; Bhag. 126b; Thān. p. 157a.