Jaina Gazette 1927

SR No.: 034889
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J L Jaini, Ajitprasad
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1927
Total Pages: 568
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 47 MB

Page 144

JAINISM IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 89 soon, attachment to friends, repeated remembrance of past enjoyments and the desire of enjoyments in the next' world.
79. Q. Define charity.
A. Charity is defined as the giving of one's things to others for the good of one's self and others.
80. Q. What are the different kinds of charity ?
A. Charity is of 4 kinds in Jainism :-Charity of food, of medicine, of Shastras and of immunity from fear.
Only such things should be given in charity which help in the prosecution of studies and the due observance of austerities, and which do not bring about attachment, repulsion, incontinence, pride, pain, fear etc.
81. Q. What are the qualities which should be found in a giver of charity ?
A. A giver of charity must not wish for any gain in this world in exchange, must give calmly without anger, must be happy at giving and must be without deceit, envy, anxiety and pride.
82. Q. Describe the qualities of the recipients of charity ?
A. The recipients of charity or donees are of 3 classes Supatras good donees, Kupatras deficient donees, and Apatras unworthy donees. The good donees are again of three classes. Ascetics, Laymen with vows and Laymen with right belief but not with vows. The deficient donees are those who are with proper external conduct but without real right belief. The unworthy donees are those who have neither proper external conduct nor real right belief. There is no merit in giving them anything.
83. Q. Describe the manner of giving food to a Jain Ascetic.
A. The highest gift is that of food to a Sadhu, an ascetic of the highest order. The gift of food, however, to be efficient in bringing about good Karmas, must not be given away disrespectfully or with contempt as one would throw away a copper to a beggar. The Jain Sadhu is not a begging medicant. He never asks for anything, nor does he even think of or desire for food. His visit to a habitation is a mere formal observance, one of the
12 Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat