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

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S. B. DEO
The reason behind that was that "all living beings desire to live and not to die. Therefore, the nigganthas give up killing of living beings" 342 This generous outlook led not only to mere justice but to equanimity or samatā i.e., the control of one's passions towards all. The same note of identity of the individual soul with others is beautifully expressed by the commentary to the Daśavaikālika: 343
‘Eka eva hi bhūtātmā bhūte bhūte vyavasthitaḥ / Ekadhā bahudhā caiva dịśyante jalacandravat //
'Soul is one even though it resides in many living beings. It is just like the single (reflection of) the moon in a (quiet) pond which becomes manifold (when the water is disturbed).' Guttis and Samüïs :
The proper channels of acquiring such equanimity which was the basis of ahimsā, was the practice of five samitis and three guptis.344
The five samitis were those which prescribed carefulness regarding movement (iriyā), speech (bhāsā), begging (esaņā), receiving and keeping the things necessary for religious purposes (āyāṇabhandanikkhevana) and deposition of bodily excreta (uccārapāsavaņakhelasinghānajallaparitthāvaņa).
The three guptis345 consisted of control over the mind (mana), speech (vāk) and body (kāya). Endowed with these, the monk controlled his passions (kaşāya) like anger, pride, deceit and greed, and put up with all sorts of troubles.
The tenfold religion of the monk consisting of forbearance (khanti), non-attachment (mutti), non-deceit (ajjava), modesty (maddava), carefulness in actions (lāghava), truth (sacca), self-control (sañjama), penance (tava), non-possession (citāta) and celibacy (bambhacera),346 made a monk fit to put up with the twenty-two troubles (parisahas).
342. Ibid. 6, 11. 343. p. 41.
344. Bhag. 121a, 775b; Thān 343a; Smu. 10a, Uttar. 24, 1-2; 20, 40; Vivaga. pp. 15, 80; Antg. p. 17; Stkr. 2, 2, 13 (p. 364).
345. Thăn. 111b; Smv. 8a; Dév. 3, 10; Uttar. IX, 20-22; 34, 40; 11, 4-9. For a detailed description about proper and improper speech : Dśu. Chapter VII; Acār. II, 4, 1, 1 (pp. 149 ff); Seven kinds of bad speech : Thān. p. 403b; Condemnation of the five great personalities leads to rebirth and no liberation : Ibid. p. 321a.
346. Same ideas repeated elsewhere : Seventeenfold samyama : Thān. p. 279b; Smu. p. 31: twenty-seven qualities of a monk : five great vows, fivefold sense-control, control of four passions, verbal control, physical and mental control, knowledge, conduct, faith, putting up with trouble and bearing the pangs of death : Ibid. p. 46a; sixfold pramāda or faults: Thān. p. 360b.