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ABDHA-MAGADHT READER
he should there and then effect the ligious death called Ittarai. (4).
This is the truth ; speaking truth, free from passion, crossing the Samsára, abating irresoluteness, knowing all truth and not being known, leaving this frail body, overcoming all sorts of pains and troubles through trust in this religion, he accomplishes this fearful religious death. Even thus he will in due timo put an end to existence. This has been adopted by many who were free from delusion ; it is good, wholesome, proper, beatifying, meritorious. Thus I say.
(Ayáramga, Vol. I., Chap. VII, Lesson VI.)
1. Ittara=Itoara or ingitamarana consists in starving onesell, while keeping within a limited space. A religious death is usually permitted only to those who have during twelve years undergone preparatory penance, consisting chiefly in protracted periods of fasting. The scholiast says that in our case, the Itvara is not enjoined for sick persons who can no longer sustain austerities; but they should act as if they were to commit the Itvara anioide, hoping that in five or six days the sickness would leave them, in which case they are to return to their former life. But if they should not get better but die, it is all for the best.
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