Jainism the Creed for All Times

SR No.: 006564
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: D S Baya
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 420
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 318

41. Taking raw salt of the Romak variety,
42. Taking raw table salt of sea origin,
43. Eating raw salt collected from the saline sodic lands,
44. Taking raw black salt,
45. Perfuming the clothes etc by burning incense,
46. Vomiting by taking medicines,
47. Taking animas for clearing the bowels,
48. Taking laxatives,
49. Applying mascara to the eyes,
50. Applying tooth powder or brushing the teeth with twigs or brushes,
51. Massaging the body with oils, and
52. Adorning the body with good clothes and jewellery, etc.
It is plain from this list of unmonastic activities that the Jaina monastic code of conduct aims at spiritual beautification of the soul rather than its physical embodiment. The ascetics are required to lead a simple and spiritual life and not a comfortloving, food-loving, physical and fashion-loving life.
Bearing Monastic Hardships
Monastic life is not a bed of roses. It is a life to be devoted to spiritual pursuits by renouncing physicality. On its way to spiritual perfection the spiritual aspirant comes across many a hardship that tests his mettle. Those who endure these hardships succeed in achieving their ultimate aim of spiritual perfection and those who succumb to them fall by the way-side. The twenty second section of Samavayanga and the second chapter of the Uttaradhyayana-sūtra mention twenty-two such hardships that the ascetics must endure. They are as follows:
1. Hunger - when suitable flawless food is not available. 2. Thirst when suitable flawless water is not available. 3. Cold-bearing intense cold in few clothes or wraps, 4. Heat-bearing intense heat of summer without fanning, bathing as well as by walking barefoot.
290 JAINISM: THE CREED FOR ALL TIMES