Scientific Foundations Of Jainism

SR No.: 022772
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: K V Mardia
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt Ltd
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 146
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 91

THE PURIFICATION PRESCRIPTION
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these, the five Lower Vows are the most important. These are (a) avoiding injuring beings having two or more senses, (b) being truthful, (c) refraining from stealing, (d) not having sexual activities outside marriage, and (e) limiting one's possessions. Some additional vows help to strengthen and complement these lower vows. For details, see P.S. Jaini (1979. p. 187) and Williams (1963).
This last of the eleven sub-stages culminates in preparation for the next stage, that of the monk.
8.4 STAGE SIX AND MONKS
Stage 6 involves following Higher Vows which involve tougher austerities. These are extensions and additions to the Lower Vows (a)—(e) above and, in particular, include total renunciation of one's possessions, and ending domestic life altogether.
The overall aim is to minimize the extent and the frequency of activities which would lead to additional karmic matter being taken in through the arousal of new passions. We now describe in detail the practices required of a monk. These are meant to prepare an aspirant for the advanced meditational states through which karmic matter is finally eliminated from the soul, so that moksa is achieved.
1. Restraint: There are three restraints which imply progressively curbing the activities of the body, mind and speech, i.e. aiming for single mindedness and avoiding what is not necessary.
2. Watchfulness: There are five types of Watchfulness involving positive caution in one's activities. These are (1) taking care when walking to avoid killing or hurting small creatures, (2) attempting to speak truthfully and as little as possible, (3) accepting alms in such a way that there is no feeling of self-gratification, (4) care in picking up and putting down objects so that no form of life is disturbed or crushed, and (5) care in performing the excretory functions so as not to disturb living things.
3. Righteousness: One cultivates ten rules of righteousness to reinforce these practices. These are perfection in forbearance, modesty, uprightness, truthfulness, purity, restraint, austerity (related to intense meditation), renunciation, detachment and continence.
4. Reflections: The twelve inental reflections enga ged upon are given below.
The traditional approach makes them rather negative but Chitrabhanu (1981) has stated them in a more positive manner. Here, we integrate the two approaches. The twelve reflections are as follows.