Collected Research Papers in Prakrit and Jainology Vol 02

SR No.: 007665
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nalini Joshi
Publisher: University of Pune
Publication Year: 2013
Total Pages: 170
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 2 MB

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of view. Many of the behavioral patterns of monastic conduct are not universal. Moral values are required to be followed by human agents irrespective of caste, creed, sex, nationality etc. But still the five greater vows viz. non-violence, truth, non-theft etc. can be designated as common moral values applicable to all human beings as such. Since the full-fledged observation of these five bigger vows (especially brahmacarya) is too lofty ideal, still Jainism suggest the smaller versions of bigger vows for practical purposes. The five main vows can be called sādhārana dharmas. In the Jaina, Buddhist and Yoga philosophy they are introduced serially as mahāvratas, sīlas and yamas. They can be regarded as central to Indian moral thought.
One more point from the Jaina monastic conduct can be considered as ethical values. Generally the topic of daśavidha dharma' is included in monastic conduct. Ninth chapter of Tattvārthsūtra gives the list of vulnerable human qualities. Esteemed Jaina scholars Dr. Nathmal Tatia translates it likewise
"Morality is perfect forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, purity (i.e. freedom from greed), truthfulness, self-restraint, austerity, renunciation, detachment and continence." One may disagree about the universality of some of these virtues, but grossly we can designate them as ethical values though they are enumerated under sadhu-dharma.
Likewise, some of the vratas of a householder may go outside the sphere of univeral morality. But grossly speaking, the whole scheme of anvrata-gunavrata-sikśāvrata with its transgressions (aticāras) possess ethical values and that too within the range of practicability.
Thus, in the second part oh this paper an attempt has been made to put light on the conduct of Jain householder. Wherever possible, the ethical values are tagged with the contemporary modern terminology viz. environmental ethics, professional ethics, social ethics, bio-ethics, media ethics and so on.
There is a whole branch of Jaina literature which is dedicated to the conduct of laymen and laywomen. Svetāmbaras have noted down five anvratas, three gunavratas and four siksavratas. Total twelve vratas are described in detailed manner with the enumeration of five aticāras (transgressions) of each of the vrata. These transgressions help us a lot for the proper understanding of the ethical or moral values implied in it. Digambaras provide almost same purport but in a graded manner. Total eleven stages are described which are called pratimas in which firmness is expected which naturally leads the layman to the next stage.
It is impossible to note down critical observations on each of the vratas with its trasngressions within the limited scope of this paper. In fact the total number of seventy aticāras is a separate issue for ethical examination. For the sake of avoiding monotony of mechanical discussions, selected few important observations are noted down.
(1) The word sthūla ahimsā itself suggests that for a normal householder it is impossible to
observe non-violence in perfect or ideal manner. The philosophical framework of Jainism presupposes that in almost every activity of body, mind and speech, violence is implied. Eating, drinking, walking, talking even breathing causes harm to the sad-jīvanikāyas. We can divide all violent activities in four categories. In three of them, we have no control to avoid it totally. The
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