ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

SR No.: 007713
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 292
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 7 MB

Page 224

SCHOOL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
स्वाध्याय
परमे
STUDIES
i. Indulgence in arranging marriage of others (other than own children or dependent brothers and sisters),
ii. to have sex by organs not meant for sexual activities (e.g. masturbation, homosexuality or oral sex etc),
iii. to make bodily or vocal gestures which provoke sex
iv. to be mentally engaged profusely in sex and
v. to deal or socialize with prostitutes or women with loose character.
To observe celibacy Tattväratha-sūtra advices us to abstain from listening to stories arousing sex (or watching movies these days), to look or observe the sex arousing body parts of women, to reminiscence past activities, to give up eating aphrodisiac foods and to abstain from decorating own body.
Besides the above, Jain texts talk of sexual interactions primarily for pro-creation and ask its followers to avoid sexual activities on special and holy days and places (e.g. 8th and 14th of each fortnight, religious holy days and festivals and at pilgrim or religious places).
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Such descriptions and importance assigned to celibacy exert special caution on Jains to abstain from sexual interactions. Thus Jains normally practice and preach (through educating and self examples) the preventive measures to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and evils.
For curing such diseases, Jains do set up hospitals and dispensaries but not specifically for such diseases. To provide social acceptance to patients, Jains have the six essential duties which include Pratikramana (recalling mistakes and seek punishment and promise not to repeat them in future) and its sarvodaya doctrine.
A few stories from Jain literature on healing
Maināsundari (by Raj Bahadur Jain Anubhava Prakashan, 946A Nehru Road, Kotla Mubarakpur Delhi)
Long long ago, before Mahāvīra's time, there was a beautiful, prosperous and peaceful city called Champanagari. It was ruled by a brave, religious (Jain) and benefactor of his subjects. His name was Aridamana. He had a beautiful and religious wife Kundanaprabhā, a young brave handsome and virtuous son Śrīpāla. Everything in the kingdom and its protectorate was ideal and people loved their king and his administration. However King Aridamana had
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