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 246

HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
241
(iv) Relations with persons of other faith (annaütthiya) :
To maintain the integrity of the Church and purity of monastic conduct, monks were not allowed to have any contact with heretics.
Giving food to a heretic or liking to do so, or accepting it from him, . eating food encircled by female heretics, requesting a heretic for food and sharing a common meal-all these were taken to be faults.148
Along with food, monks were not permitted to exchange requisites with them. Asking them to carry one's requisites, or getting a stick or a bambooneedle or an avalehaniyā cut or made by them, was not allowed. 149
No common stay was permitted to a monk with a heretic and he was asked to be away from him even in the rainy season 150
Bodily contact, of course, was not encouraged under any circumstances, and the monk who got his feet massaged by a heretic had to undergo four months' parihāra.151
Teaching or reading with hereties the sciences of omens, astrology, spells, magic and other popular practices, architecture, gambling, etc. was not allowed. Speaking harsh words to a heretic was not permitted as it was liable to lead to a quarrel.152
Even in minor matters contact with the heretic was avoided. The monk was disallowed to make a heretic prepare either a foot-path, or a bridge, or pingoes, or a curtain, or perform any activity pertaining to a needle, a razor, a nail-cutter or an ear-cleaner, for his own purposes.153
Thus, it may not be wrong to conclude that the heretics were to be treated along the same lines as persons with loose morals, and all contact was to be avoided with them.
Touring:
As we have already seen, the monks and nuns led a wandering life during the eight months of summer and winter, and were forbidden to do so in the rainy season.154
148. Ibid., 3, 1-12; 15, 75-78; 16, 36-37; 12, 41. 149. Ibid., 1, 40; 12, 40; 15, 79-98. 150. Ibid., 10, 46. 151. Ibid., 15, 13-65. 152. Ibid., 13, 12-29. 153. Ibid., 1, 11-18.
154. Bļh.kalp. 1, 36. BULL. DCRI.-31