Tulsi Prajna 2003 01

SR No.: 524614
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shanta Jain, Jagatram Bhattacharya
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 122
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 6 MB

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that Jain nuns were cautioned against it. The Jain nuns had to be careful in their choice of lodging during their religious tours. Among the prohibited places were guest houses (āgamanagrha), where travellers who could find no accomodation elsewhere sought shelter. There were all kinds of riffraff including prostitutes and pimps whose behavior was bound to affect the morals of the nuns. The Jain monks had their own tale of woe as far as prostitutes were concerned. When the monks saw lascivious men and women embracing one another and heard the sounds they made as they continued their love-play, their ascetic resolve tended to weaken. The monks had to fight against another potent menace. Prostitutes some times entered their monastery and asked permission to stay there over night. If this was allowed, they made overtures to the monks, putting them in a very difficult position. The monks at first tactfully persuaded the uninvited guests to leave, but if they failed they thought the wiser thing to do was to make a hasty retreat and quit the building. At times more drastic measures had to be adopted. When they were absolutely at the end of their tether because of the importunities of the prostitutes, the monks tied them up for the night and released them in the morning. But the matter did not end there. If a prostitute sned the monks before the king, they had to appear before him personally and answer the charges. In keeping with the stern ascetic principles of Jainism, the Jain canonical works warned the monks at every step to keep away from women. The chedasutras carefully analyzed the sexual aberrations of Jain monks and laid down rules to help them avoid pitfalls. The Sūtrakstānga 1:4,2 etc., gives a rather humorous picture of an infatuated monk in the clothes of a women of ill repute. Taking advantage of the situation she scolded him and struck his head with her lifted foot. She teased him saying, “O monk! If you do not want me to retain my hair, I shall get them plucked, but please do not leave me." After getting him in her clutches, she sent him on all kinds of petty errands," look for the bodkin to carve the bottle gourd; fetch some delicious fruit for me. Bring me wood to cook these vegetables and to light the fire at night. Paint my feet; come and rub my back ; look at my clothes; bring me food and drink. Get me some perfume and a broom. Bring me a barber (to shave my head). Give me the collyrium, my ornaments, the lodhra powder (for dyeing), the lutes, and bring me the pill (to restore my
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