$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 44

Chapter 05 - Vrata (Vows) for Sädhu / Sädhvi and Shrävak / Shrävikä The hallmark of right conduct is right conviction in thought, and action, freedom from infatuation or delusion and passions like anger, hatred etc. Therefore, Vrata is avoidance of wrong conduct like violence, lying, stealing, sensual pleasure and possessiveness and to be engaged in true religious activities through the unity of body, mind and speech. We do not take Vrata to please any divine power or anyone else. We take Vrata to purify ourselves to continue and enhance the process of liberating ourselves, and to achieve the liberation (Moksha). Vrata depends on:
• Selection of the type of conduct to be practiced • Knowledge of what is the right conduct and what is the wrong conduct
How much energy one can use and is capable of using for the right conduct The complete renunciation of all worldly attachment is called Maha-vrata (major vows), practiced by the Sädhus and Sadhvijis, and the partial renunciation of worldly attachments is called Anu-vrata, [minor Vows) practiced by Shrävaks and Shrävikäs. Five Mahä-vratas (Major Vows) for Sädhu and Sädhvi: According to the Ächäränga Sutra, the following are the five Maha-vratas for Sädhu and Sadhvi: Ahimsa Mahävrata Ahimsa Mahävrata is the renunciation of the killing or hurting of all living beings, whether subtle or gross, whether movable or immovable. It is the abstinence from killing or hurting living beings, causing others to do it, or consenting to it. After taking this vow, one must confess, blame, repent, and exempt himself of these sins that are committed in the three modes of mind, speech, and body. Satya Mahävrata Satya Mahävrata is the renunciation of all vices of false speech arising from anger, greed, fear, or mirth. It is the abstinence from speaking lies, causing others to do it, or consenting to it. After taking this vow, one must confess, blame, repent, and exempt himself of these sins that are committed in the three modes of mind, speech, and body. Achaurya Mahävrata Achaurya Mahävrata is the renunciation of taking that, which is not given, irrelevant of size, amount, or value of that which is taken. It is the abstinence from taking what is not given, causing others to do it, or consenting to it. After taking this vow, one must confess, blame, repent, and exempt himself of these sins that are committed in the three modes of mind, speech, and body. Brahmacharya Mahävrata Brahmacharya Mahävrata is the renunciation of all sensuous pleasure activities, of any sort. It is the abstinence from enjoying sensuality, causing others to do it, or consenting to it. After taking this vow, one must confess, blame, repent, and exempt himself of these sins that are committed in the three modes of mind, speech, and body. Aparigraha Mahävrata Aparigraha Mahävrata is the renunciation of all possessions and their attachments, irrelevant of size, amount, or value. It is the abstinence from having such attachments, causing others to do it, or consenting to it. After taking this vow, one must confess, blame, repent, and exempt himself of these sins that are committed in the three modes of mind, speech, and body.
Vratas for Shrävaks and Shrävikäs (Vows for a Laypeople) Shrävak / Shrävikä