Ethical Doctrines in Jainism

SR No.: 006955
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 2001
Total Pages: 322
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 8 MB

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ETHICAL DOCTRINES IN JAINISM
Subhopayoga, or which does add to the sustenance and enhancement of Subha Bhāvas. This shows that this kind of Parigraha is indispensable for the maintenance of sainthood. Such Parigraha includes the body with which one is born, the spiritual words of the Guru, the sacred texts capable of unfolding the true nature of self, and devotion and modesty towards the spiritually developed souls. The celebrated book 'Mūlācāra' describes the nature of Aprigraha-mahāvrata by saying that it consists in renouncing the sentient and non-sentient Parigraha, and in adopting an attitude of non-attachment to other unforbidden and sinless Parigraha.? Thus a Muni may possess a book (jñānopadhi), a peacock-feather broom (samyamopadhi), and a pot for water, (saucopadhi). Just as the Subha Bhāvas in the absence of Suddha Bhāvas adorn the life of the saint, so do these paraphernalia without any contradiction. The pot for water is used after answering calls of nature. The peacock-feather broom serves the purpose of avoiding Himsă of living beings. This sort of broom possesses five characteristics. It does not get soiled either with dust or with sweat, it has the qualities of softness, non-injuriousness, tenderness and lightness. In contrast to the Nirgrantha Digambara monk, the Svetāmbara monk has been allowed to keep with him clothes, alms bowl, Kambala, and broom. Besides, he may keep Mukhapati (Mouth cloth) and Gocchaga (cloth for cleaning the alms bowl).' These are not regarded as Parigraha. With the details of these we are not concerned here. This vow is properly followed when the monk adopts an attitude of indifference towards the pleasures of hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and feeling.
THREE GUPTIS AND FIVE SAMITIS: We now proceed to dwell upon the five-fold carefulness (samiti). As we have already stated, the influx of the Karman is through 'Yoga'. The ideal thing for the saint is to control totally the physical, mental and vocal activities and to fix himself in the Atmanic experience. Such a sublime and sacred endeavour is called 'Gupti'. The supreme cause by virtue of which the Atman receives enduring shelter from the mundane career as such and manifests the potency of transcending birth and death, is termed 'Gupti'.' It means
1 Prava III. 25. 2 Mülā. 9. 3 Mülā. 14. 4 Bhaga. Arā. 98. Mülā. 910. Acārā. p. 23; p. 55. 6 Uttarā. 26-23. 7 Ibid. 8 Ācārā. pp. 209, 210; Mülā. 341; Ta.sā. VII-8; Cā. Pā. 36; Bhaga. Ārā. 1211. 9 Sarvārtha. IX. 2.