$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

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

Page 76

seers have therefore specifically used the term Anashan for this category of external restraint. The practice of fasting would therefore be helpful in staying unperturbed and in retaining peace of mind under such adverse circumstances. Unoariä or Unodari: Eating less This means eating less than what is needed for satisfying the appetite or hunger. This austerity has a health consideration as well. Recent research has shown that eating less than the appetite, is conducive to health and can even increase longevity. Also it prepares the body and mind for meditation. Vitti-Sankhevanam or Vritti-sankshepa: Curtailing the desires This means curtailing the mentality to extend the requirements. Human beings have the tendency to acquire, as many things as possible to satisfy current or future needs. However, we all know that possession of many things does not necessarily make one happy. Happiness is a function of mind and can be attained only by contentment. By observing this austerity, one can learn to stay contented with minimum requirements. One meaning of this austerity is to restrict the number of food items per meal and avoid eating the most liked items. Rasachchäo or Rasatyag: Avoiding the tastes This means giving up the attachment for tastes. The tongue is an organ that looks for a variety of tastes. Our attention therefore stays attached to the different types of tasty food and drink. This turns out to be more or less an insatiable craze. Such hankering for taste does not allow peace of mind. Some brake has to be applied to it. Examples of such austerities are Ayambil Vrata where one eats only boiled grains and beans etc. Käya-Kileso or Käya-Klesha: Facing physical hardships This literally means bearing physical affliction. In practice, it amounts to courting physical hardships. During spiritual pursuit, one comes across many hardships. If one is not accustomed to bear the same, one cannot maintain peace and there cannot be spiritual uplift without peace of mind. It is therefore necessary that aspirants get used to bearing hardships and physical discomforts. This austerity teaches us to bear physical discomfort with equanimity. Sanlinayä or Sanlinatä: Occupying restricted space This is also referred to as Vivikta-shayyäsan. It means staying in a forlorn place and occupying minimum space. The normal human tendency is to gain maximum possible amenities in life. The purpose of this austerity is to curtail that tendency and to practice feeling comfortable within a restricted area. The term can also mean staying tuned. Maintaining attentiveness thus comes within the purview of this restraint. The purpose of these external austerities is to equip the aspirants to face hardships that they may come across during spiritual pursuit. That can enable them to observe peace and tranquility of mind even in adverse circumstances.
Abhyantar Tapa (Internal Austerities) Panchächär Sutra lays down internal austerities as below. पायच्छित्तं विणओ, वेयावच्चं तहेव सज्झाओ.
Päyachchhittam Vinao Veyävachcham Tahev
Sajzäo झाणं उस्सग्गो वि अ, अभितरओ तवो होइ.
Jhänam Ussaggo Vi A Abbhintarao Tavo Hoi पंचाचार के अतिचार |
. . --- Panchächär Sutra Repentance, modesty, selfless service, study of self, meditation and staying beyond the physical aspects are the internal austerities.
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JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE -2