Jaina Psychology

SR No.: 006570
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mohanlal Mehta
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar
Publication Year: 1955
Total Pages: 238
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 13 MB

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The Tattvärtha-sutra mentions self-control (gupti) as an additional means of the cessation of the inflow. Self-control is nothing but the conrol of the three-fold activities. Because the central theme of our discussion is the control of the three-fold activities, we have deliberately left its enumeration as one of the conditions of the stoppage of activities (samvara). Moreover, the above-cited means are nothing more than the elucidation and elaboration of selfcontrol. They are, in a different language, the necessary conditions to give a definite shape to self-control. It is, however, possible to understand the nature and methods of the control of the three-fold activities through the proper understanding of the aforesaid means. Let us, now, have an analysis of these means one by one. It is but natural that the account of these means is not purely psychological but mixed with ethical discipline.
ACTIVITY AND ITS CONTROL
SELF-REGULATION
Self-regulation is the regulation of the five chief activities performed for the maintenance of life. The five-fold activities are: walking, speaking, receiving of something, keeping of things and performance of the excretional activities.
The walking of a well-disciplined person should be pure in four respects: the support, the time, the road, and the caution.2 The support is in the shape of cognition, belief, and conduct by which our thought becomes pure. The time is day-time which is in all respects better than night. The road excludes bad ways that are harmful in maintaining discipline." The caution is again four-fold: regarding the chief cause, place, time, and condition of mind. As regards the chief cause, the walking person should look forward with his eyes. With regard to place, he should look forward for four cubits, and seeing animals he should move on by walking on his toes or heels or the sides of his feet. If there be some by-path, he should choose it, and not go straight on. If there are on the way living beings, seeds grass, water, or mud, he should not go straight
1 Tattvärtha-sutra, IX, 4.
2 Alambanena kalena, maggena jayanāi ya. Uttaradhyayana-sutra, XXIV, 4.
a Ibid., XXIV, 5.
4 Davvas khettao ceva, kalao bhavao......
Ibid., XXIV, 6.
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