Confluence of Opposites

SR No.: 006704
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain
Publication Year: 1921
Total Pages: 422
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 15 MB

Page 134

116
SCIENCE
(10) refraining from even participation in consultation on wordly matters, and
(11) placing further restrictions on food that is henceforth to be taken only once a day, at the morning meal, at a pious householder's. and on personal apparel, which is reduced to a langoti (loin-strip).
The eleventh pratima perfected, the aspirant takes to sannyasa, and becomes a homeless ascetic. These steps take one roughly to the commencement of old age, between the 45th and the 55th years of life. The householder has hitherto [given his best to the world in the form of service, advice, charity, and the like; but he now withdraws himself from it to study his own future. As an ascetic he has no more concern with anything else but the destruction of his real enemies, the forces of passion and desire. The vows he practises are the same as he did in the house-holder's stage, but they are now characterised with utmost severity. In addition, he observes carefulness in walking, speech, eating, handling things and evacuating bodily excre. ments. He also avoids the engagement of his mind, speech and body in worldly traffic, and practises the ten most excellent rules of Dharma (spiritual merit), namely, (1) forgiveness, (2) humility, (3) honesty, (4) truthfulness, (5) dispassion, (6) mercy, (7) self-denial, (8) non-attachment, (9) contentment, and (10) chastity, all qualified by the word uttama (commendable, praise