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 ng, etc. They were also not permitted to sing 242 All contact with the persons or circumstances that tended to lead to the breaking of celibacy was to be avoided, and a strict practice of the five great vows (pañcamahāvratas), absence of the night-meal, and perfect control over the senses through the ‘pañcasamitis' and the three 'guptis' was compulsory for all.243
Monks and Nuns-Mutual Relations:
The monks were always given superiority over the nuns. It was said that a newly initiated monk was superior to a nun who practised the life of a nun for a long time.244 A nun was expected to pay respect to a monk or to a teacher (adhyāpaka) or to a sūri by folding her knees and placing them on the ground.245 The 'namaskāra' had to be done from a distance of five, six or seven hands from him.246
No common stay was permitted, and a monk was forbidden to remain with a nun in a lonely place or accompany her along the way or discuss something trifle with her.247 No other activity such as sleeping, studying, eating food or any other one was allowed to a monk in a nunnery.248 It seems that he was perhaps allowed to stay there only for religious matters (dharmakāryamantarena). 249 No exchange of alms was allowed between monks and nuns.250
The monks and nuns were not allowed to have direct talks with one another. A monk had to secure permission of the gaṇini concerned for it, and had to speak with a nun in the presence of that officer, and that too only regarding religious matters.251 Nuns and Society:
The rules which controlled the nun's relations with the monks were strict, and stricter still were the rules that limited their contact with society at large. They had to keep no contact with bad characters or with nuns belonging to the rival faiths. The Mülācāra252 refers in a passing way to the
242. Ibid., 4, 193. 243. Ibid., 4, 90-158.
244. Ibid., (comm. on 10, 18), "bahukalapravrajitāyā api äryikāyāḥ adya pravrajito'pi mahān."
245. Ibid., 'Yathả gaurupavišati,' 4. 195. 246. Ibid. 247. Ibid., 5, 95. 248. Ibid., 4, 180; 10, 61. 249. Ibid., comm, on 10, 61. 250. Ibid., 6, 49. 251. Ibid., 4, 178. 252. Comm., Pt. I, p. 368.