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
moral principles took place at least in theory. Hence, only such items among these as are specifically amplified may be noted.
The fundamentals of monk life were four, to wit: nudity (acelakka), tonsure (loca), indifference to the body (vosaṭṭa sariradā) and scanning the requisites and places of occupation (padilihaņa),362
The Body:
No attachment towards the body was shown, and hence no efforts of decoration or of bodily purity were allowed. The monk had, therefore, to abstain from teeth-cleaning (radagharṣa), and bath (snäna),363
Nudity:
The Digambara monk was naked for two reasons. Firstly, nudity was the symbol of bondlessness and hence was respected in the world, and secondly, being completely unattached to the body, the naked monk was the least attacked by passions.364 Hence, even the later Jaina texts advocate it. We have, however, seen that later on a sect among the Digambaras-The Viśvapanthis advocated the use of clothes.
Uprooting the hair (Loca):
'Loca' was done for four reasons: to exhibit non-attachment towards the body (naissañgya), for least dependence on others (ayacanã), for protection of living beings (ahimsa), and for the training of the body for the putting up with bodily trouble (dukkhābhyāsa),365
The monk uprooted the hair from his head and beard with hand, either after two, three or four months. Every two months, however, was deemed as the ideal period for that. Fasting and 'pratikramana' were to accompany this practice.366
Sleep:
The monks slept on bare ground or on slabs of stone spread over with grass. Sleeping on planks of wood was also recommended.
The monk slept on one side. Keeping the face up, or facing the ground was not allowed. He was to take no cover when sleeping on a piece of ground of his own measure.367
362. Bhag. Ara. quoted in JSB, Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 23, f.n. 4.
363. Angd, 9, 84-85; 6, 106.
364. Ibid. 6, 92.
365. Ibid. 9, 97: comm.
366. Ibid. 8, 58; 9, 86: 97. 367. Ibid. 9, 91.