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 183

178
S. B. DEO
Buddhists had, like their contemporaries, strong notions about the purity and impurity of food. However, like other Titthiyas they had no objection in receiving food from outcastes, pregnant women, etc., neither did they refuse things like fish, rice-gruel etc., as other ascetics did. They could take animal food as well. The only precaution taken was that a Bhikkhu was forbidden to eat flesh of a beast purposely killed for his sake, and the flesh of useful animals as horses, elephants etc., and of other animals like dogs etc."238
Parallel practices in Brāhmanical system also are to be found. In this connection, the instances of Bhāradvāja and Viśvāmitra,239 who saved their life by eating animal flesh, may be noted. From such instances, "it seems pretty clear that in earlier days there was no restraint upon eating meat, though in the time of Manu it was not considered lawful to eat any flesh which had not been sacrificed".240
ITEMS OF DAILY ROUTINE:
Before entering upon a detailed discussion of every item of the daily routine of a monk, we shall first note down the general programme of his daily life as given in the Uttarādhyayana.241
After sunrise, during the first quarter of the first porisi), he inspected and cleaned his requisites and paid respect to the superiors. Then asking the ācārya whether there was any work for him, the monk did the thing which his ācārya asked him to do. Otherwise, he indulged in studies.
In the second porisī he did meditation, in the third he begged and ate food, and in the fourth he again studied.242 Then paying reverence to the elders, and doing the 'pratikramana', he inspected the lodging. Then he did ‘kāyotsarga', and reflected upon the transgressions he happened to do on that day.
In the first quarter of the night he studied, in the second he meditated, in the third he took to sleep and in the fourth he again studied.
238. Early Buddhist Jurisprudence, pp. 147-48. 239. Manu, 10, 106 ff. 240. PHEAR, I.A., Vol. IV, p. 130. 241. Chapt. 26.
242. Goyama at the time of breaking the fast upto the sixth meal (chatthakkhamanapăranagarinsi) studied in the first porisī, in the second he meditated (jhānam jhiyāyai). and in the third, 'aturiyamacavalamasambhante muhapottiyam padilehei, bhāyaṇāïm vatthāim padileheī, bhāyaņāim pamajjai, bhāyanais uggahei......'-Bhag. p. 139a,