Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
## The Twenty-Seven Qualities of the Ascetic
[77
Twenty-Seven Qualities - Samvaya
179 - The twenty-seven qualities of the Ascetic are as follows: 1. Non-violence (Prāṇātipāta - Viramaṇa), 2. Truthfulness (Mṛṣāvāda - Viramaṇa), 3. Non-stealing (Adattādāna - Viramaṇa), 4. Celibacy (Maithuna - Viramaṇa), 5. Non-possession (Parigraha - Viramaṇa), 6. Restraint of the Ear (Śrotrendriya - Nigraha), 7. Restraint of the Eye (Cakṣurindriya - Nigraha), 8. Restraint of the Nose (Ghrāṇendriya - Nigraha), 9. Restraint of the Tongue (Jihvendriya - Nigraha), 10. Restraint of the Touch (Sparśendriya - Nigraha), 11. Discernment of Anger (Krodhaviveka), 12. Discernment of Pride (Mānaviveka), 13. Discernment of Deceit (Māyāviveka), 14. Discernment of Greed (Lobhaviveka), 15. Truth of Feeling (Bhāvasatya), 16. Truth of Action (Karaṇasatya), 17. Truth of Conduct (Yogasatya), 18. Forgiveness (Kṣamā), 19. Detachment (Virāgatā), 20. Concentration of Mind (Manassamāharaṇatā), 21. Concentration of Speech (Vacaṇasamāharaṇatā), 22. Concentration of Body (Kāyasamāharaṇatā), 23. Knowledge (Jñānasampannatā), 24. Vision (Darśanasampannatā), 25. Conduct (Carittasampannatā), 26. Endurance of Pain (Vedana Atiśahana), 27. Endurance of Death (Māraṇāntika Atiśahana).
Explanation - The five great vows (Mahavratas) of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession are the fundamental qualities of the Ascetic. The remaining twenty-two are the secondary qualities. These include the restraint of the five senses, meaning controlling their unruly tendencies, and the discernment of the four passions (anger, pride, deceit, and greed), meaning their abandonment. The purification of the inner self is called the truth of feeling (Bhāvasatya). The complete and careful transcription of things like clothes is called the truth of action (Karaṇasatya). Keeping the mind, speech, and body in proper conduct, meaning the purity of the three yogas, is called the truth of conduct (Yogasatya). Not harboring anger in the mind, not allowing hatred and pride to arise is the quality of forgiveness (Kṣamā). Not being attached to any object is the quality of detachment (Virāgatā). Opposing the evil tendencies of the mind, speech, and body is called their concentration. Being endowed with right vision, knowledge, and conduct is essential for the Ascetic. Enduring pain like cold, heat, etc. is called endurance of pain (Vedana Atiśahana). Enduring all kinds of trials and tribulations at the time of death, and even while enduring the mortal suffering inflicted by someone, maintaining the mind of a benevolent friend is called endurance of death (Māraṇāntika Atiśahana).
It is important to note that in the Digambara tradition, there are 28 qualities of the Ascetic. The five great vows and the restraint of the five senses, totaling ten qualities, are the same as mentioned above. The remaining eighteen qualities are: observance of the five assemblies, observance of the three secrets, performing the six essentials (Samayika Vandana, etc.), remaining naked (Acela), eating once a day, shaving the head (Keśaluñca), and abandoning bathing, brushing teeth, etc.
The fundamental difference between the two is only in remaining naked (Acela). The other qualities are essentially included within each other.
179 - In the island of Jambudvipa, the twenty-seven qualities are practiced together in the community. Each one...
]