Jainthology

SR No.: 006577
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1991
Total Pages: 294
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 8 MB

Page 283

The monks were also expected to guide and advise the layfolk towards an ethical and spiritual path. Twelve minor vows were prescribed for the laity which are only a watered down version of the five great vows.? Yet the main emphasis was laid on encouraging the layfolk to take up ascetic life as soon as possible It will be noticed that the principle of non-injury or non-violence occupies a central position both in the life of an ascetic and that of the householder. This has serious implications for the activities and occupations that the Jainas could take up.
Since the Jaina lay adherents were forbidden to injure any living beings, "they might never till the soil, nor engage in butchering, fishing, brewing, or any other occupation involving the taking of life". (Nevaskar 1971 : 159) This injunction is regarded by Noss as by far the most important in its social effect. He asserts :
"It constituted a limitation that must have seemed serious to the early followers of Mahăvira; but at long last it actually proved to have economic as well as religious worth, for the Jains found they could make higher profits when they turned from occupations involving direct harm to living creatures to careers in business as bankers, lawyers, merchants, and proprietors of land. The other moral restrictions of their creed, which prohibited gambling, eating meat, drinking wine, adultery, hunting, thieving, and debauchery, earned them social respect..." (Noss 1954 152 in Nevaskar 1971 : 159-60; also see Nakamura 1973: 87)
A Jaina Community survey taken by Sociologist Sangave also showed tbat though the Jainas follow different kinds of occupations, “they are mainly money-lenders, bankers, jewellers, cloth-merchants, grocers and recently industrialists..." And in professions "they are mainly found in legal, medical and teaching professions as well as nowadays many Jainas
7 Twelve minor vows for the layfolk prescribed that he : (1) must not destroy life,
(2) must not tell a lie, (3) must not make unpermited use of another man's property, (4) must be chaste, (5) must limit his possessions, (6) must make a perpetual and daily vow to go only in certain directions and certain distances, (7) must avoid useless talk and action, (8) must avoid thought of sinful things, (9) must limit the articles of his diet and enjoyment for the day, (10) must worship at fixed times, morning, noon and evening, (11) must fast on certain days, and (12) must give charity in the way of knowledge, money, etc., everyday. (based on Tattvarthadhigama Sutra II:142-43 in Zimmer, 1956:196n 14)
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