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 346

HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
341
REQUISITES:
While touring or otherwise, the Digambara monk had less requisites as compared with those of the Svetāmbara one,
Clothing and Nudity :
The Digambara monk remained naked (jahājāya).672 It was considered to be one of the essentials of monkhood (lingakappa) that a monk should remain devoid of clothing (accelakkam).
In this respect they differed from the Svetämbaras, and the texts under review strongly uphold the view. Clothing and other requisites were looked upon as property, the use of which disqualified a person to be a monk who was to be without any possession (pariggaha). The same feeling is expressed by the following verse from the Pravacanasāra673_-'If (you were to say) that it is (found) stated in certain texts that a monk accepts a piece of clothing and possesses a pot, (we are to ask) how can he (with these) be independent and without activities involving preliminary sin ? If he accepts a piece of clothing, gourd-bowl and anything else, necessarily there is involved harm unto living beings, and there is disturbance in mind.' Thus considerations of non-possession and abstaining from sin were at the base of this practice of nudity.
Broom :
As against the broom (rajoharana) of woollen threads used by the Svetāmbaras, the Digambara monks used one made of peacock feathers.
Five qualifications were attributed to this sort of broom. It was said that such a broom did not get soiled either with dust or with sweat (rajasedāṇamagahaņam), as also it had qualities like softness and non-injuriousness (maddava), tenderness (sukumāladā), and lightness in handling (lahuttam).
Pots :
The monks did not use any bowl for begging food. Instead of that they accepted food in the palms of their hand (pānipātra).674 It may be remembered that the Kalpasūtra describes Mahāvīra taking food in the palms
672. Ibid., 9, 15; 10, 17-22; Suttapähuda, 10-13; Bodhapähuda, 51-55; Pro. III, 25: Quoted by UPADHYE, Prv. Intr. pp. XXX-XXXII.
673. III, 3-5, 21; JAIN, C. R., Sannyāsadharma, pp. 45-46. 674. Mül., 9, 45-54.