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Besides the five great vows for ascetics and twelve vows for lay people, Jainism lays great emphasis on observance of five rules of conducts (Samitis) and three rules of avoidance of misconduct (Guptis).
Five Samitis:
A person must be careful in walking, sitting, standing, and lying down. He must speak only gentle, sweet, and righteous speech. He must be careful in placing and removing articles of his use. He must keep every thing clean and should not make himself instrumental in the growth or death of germs and insects.
1. Iriya Samiti
2. Bhasa Samiti
Five Samitis and Three Guptis
Three Guptis:
regulation of walking -regulation of speaking - regulation of begging
3. Esnna Samiti
4. Adana Nikshepana Samiti - regulation of taking or keeping 5. Utsarga Samiti
- regulation of disposal
1. Mana Gupti
2. Vachana Gupti 3. Kaya Gupti
Jain Education International
Pravin K. Shah Jain Study Center of NC
- regulation of mind -regulation of speech -regulation of bodily activity
Five Samitis:
Iriya Samiti - regulation of walking
One should walk carefully looking forward about six feet distance so as not to cause the pain or death of any living being.
Bhasa Samiti - regulation of speaking
One should avoid the eight faults of speech during conversation. The eight faults are anger, pride, deceit, greed, laughter, fear, gossip, and slander. Always use sinless and concise speech.
Esnna Samiti - regulation of begging
Monks should search and obtain pure foods and other articles necessary for use, and to use the same in a faultless manner.
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