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 Four forms of 'kāyotsarga' based on the bodily postures and the types of meditation were also practised. According to that, ‘utthitotthita' was that type of 'kāyotsarga' in which the monk did dharma-' and 'śukla' 'dhyānas' while standing up. The 'utthitanivista' was that in which he did 'ärta' and 'raudra' meditations in a standing posture. The 'upaviştotthita' was that in which the monk performed 'kāyotsarga' by sitting and indulging in dharma-' and 'sukla' meditations. Lastly, the 'upaviştanivista' was that in which he did 'ārta' and 'raudra' types of 'dhyānas' while sitting.702
MEDITATION:
There seems to have been no difference between the types of meditation and their subdivisions as given in the early Digambara texts under review and the Svetāmbara texts. The Mülācāra refers to the same types of meditation; and only the auspicious forms of it played an important part in the life of a monk inasmuch as they formed one of the items of his daily routine.703
STUDY:
Besides meditation and other essential duties, study formed a very important item of monklife.
Study or the acquisition of knowledge (jñānācāra) was eightfold according as it pertained to the proper time of study (kāla), or to the mental, verbal and bodily purity (vinaya), or to study as a special vow (upadhāna), or to the means of getting respect from others (bahumāna). The student was to mention only the proper person under whom he had studied. He recited the text in the proper way (vyañjana), knowing full well the meaning (artha), or with both these two items (tadubhaya).
was to mention in the proper way
items (tadubhaya
Proper Time :
The monk was expected to study in the first half of the night or second half of the day (prādoşika), two ghaţikās after midnight (vairātrika), and when cattle were let loose, i.e. early after sunrise (gosargika). In short, he was asked to study throughout the major portion of the day as well as the night.
Another interesting factor taken into consideration in fixing the period of the beginning and the close of his study was the shadow of the sun. He was normally asked to begin study when the shadow of the portion below
702. Ibid., 7, 150-86. 703. Ibid., 7, 197-208; 9, 115-18; 10, 5. 82. 83.