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
(6) Mahāvarjyā - that where sinful activity or fire-activity was always being done for the sake of the Brāhmins,
(7) Sãvadyā - that which was made specially for the monks,
(8) Mahāsāyadyā - that which was made specially for particular sādhus,
and (9) Alpakriyā - that which was made for oneself by the householder, and was devoid of all faults.
In most of these, the monk was not allowed to stay for a longer period. If he did so, he had to face 'Māsalaghu'. For staying in residences represented by the categories (2), (3), (4) and (5), he had to undergo 'catvāro laghukā'; for (6), (7) and (8), 'catvāro guravah'. Only the ninth type was deemed pure for the monk.
In case there was lack of proper residence, the monk was allowed to obtain the above types of residences in the following order:
Alpakriyā, kālātikrāntā, upasthānā, abhikrāntā, anabhikrāntā, varjya, mahāvarjyā, sāvadyā and mahāsāvadyā.117
Places where there were paintings of objectionable nature like those of women or of deities, were to be avoided by the monks. If, however, the paintings were of mountains, rivers, creepers, swastika, etc. then he could stay there.118 So also, a residence specially prepared, cleaned, painted or thatched for the monk was not allowed. Only an ill monk could stay in the proximity of water in the absence of any other suitable place. In this case, a curtain (cilimilī) was to be put at that direction at which there was water, and only those who had to nurse the ill remained with the latter at such a place. Nobody was allowed to accept a lodging on an island or to go over to that place by a bridge.119
It may be noted that the monks transgressing the rules of residence had to undergo punishments right from the 'māsalaghu' upto the 'pārāñcika'. The severity of the punishment increased with the position of the monk in the Church hierarchy.120
That the rules took into consideration the local environments and customs is revealed by such rules which permitted Jaina monks to stay in the company of householders in the region called 'Kaccha' (modern:
117. Brh. kalp. bha. Vol. I, 594-600. 118. Ibid. Vol. III, 2429-30. 119. Ibid. 2413-22. 120. Ibid. 2142-43.