Jaina Gazette 1928

SR No.: 034890
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ajitprasad, C S Mallinath
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1928
Total Pages: 502
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 466

AN INTERPRETATION OF JAIN ETHICS
(1) The Irya Samiti, i.e. Regulation of Walking. It com. mands the individual, who, of course, must noods, with overy movement, destroy some lower life, to walk in a way as to cause the least possible injury. Thus, a Jain monk will walk only on barren earth, avoiding the touch of plants and of water, and after having carefully examined the way before him. He will avoid going out at night or, if forced to go, he will slightly move a kind of soft broom before him, in order to sweep away whatever higher form of life there might happen to be; he will never use any kind of vehicle, and will never walk over a carpet.
(2) By the Bhasha Samiti, i.e. Regulation of Speaking, the speaker shall avoid not only hurting anybody's feelings by offending words, but he shall also take care not to injure the air-bodies physically. Thus, the Sveta mbar Sadhus keep the “Mukha-vastrika," a piece of cloth, before their mouth, in order to limit the reach of their breath, while speaking. Besides, the Mukhavastrika also prevents the book or manuscript perused from getting defiled by breath and particles of saliva.
(3) By the Eshana Samiti, the Regulation of begging, particularly one's food, the ascetic has to make sure that the food he is offered, is in conformity with the prescriptions of the Jinas, i.e, that it does not contain any living substance, such as unboiled water, uncooked or underdone vegetables, uncat and unprepared fruit, seeds capable of germination etc., that it is free from forbidden substances such as alcohol, honey, butter, meat, decomposed food, and that it has not been propared expressly for him etc., etc.
(4) The Adana-Nikshepa-Samiti regulates the actions of taking or using, and of putting away, anything whatsoever. Before filling a vessel with a liquid, one should ascertain that it is free from small insects: or, before sitting down, the seat should be wiped clean. Thus, an ascetic will never sit down on upholstered furniture, will never use cushions, and nover lie down on a mattress, for fear lost he might hurt some hidden life.