$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

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

Page 144

CONDUCT
CO3 - Jain Lay people: Shrävaks and Shrävikäs
Three Guna Vratas (Merit Vows)
06. Dig-Parimäna Vrata (Vow of Limited Area of Activity): This vow limits one's worldly activities to certain areas in all ten directions: north, south, east, west, north-east, north-west, south-east, south-west, upwards and downwards. He or she sets definite boundaries and simply limits the radius of his or her movements to a specific number of miles. By doing this, he or she can at least prevent himself or herself from committing violence in the area beyond the radius they have set for themselves. The main purpose is to reduce transportation and other incidental activities that involve unnecessary violence as well as other avoidable pitfalls. If this vow is observed, there will be a considerable increase in the scope for self-development and spiritual welfare. This is because outside of the limited area of activity, the limited vows become full vows (Mahä-vratas). 07. Bhoga-Upbhoga Vrata (Vow of Limited use of Consumable/Non-consumable items): Generally, sins are committed by using or enjoying consumable (Bhoga) and non-consumable (Upbhoga) objects. Consumable (Bhoga) objects are things that can only be used once, such as food and drink. Non-consumable (Upabhoga) objects are things that can be used several times, such as furniture, clothes, and ornaments. This vow is a self-imposed restriction on the use of consumable material like food and drinks and durable material like clothing, footwear, cosmetics, jewelry, furniture, vehicles, etc. The purpose of this vow is to restrict the indiscriminate use of goods. Any use of an item directly or indirectly involves some degree of violence. We first have to consider whether the purchase we make is necessary and unavoidable and the degree of violence involved with that item. If our purpose can be served by using other material involving a lesser degree of violence, then that should be the choice of item used. On the same grounds, the consumption of food, meat, alcohol, honey, root vegetables, and eating at night are prohibited to decrease violence. By setting a limit by predetermining the number of items to be used, one can develop self-restraint and willpower. One should limit the use of these two types of items according to one's need and capacity by taking this vow. This vow expands upon Aparigraha Anuvrata. This vow also forbids a layman from engaging in certain occupations that involve destruction of plants or other forms of life, cruelty to animals, polluting the environment, wasting natural resources, and selling toxic substances. 08. Anartha-Danda Vrata (Vow of Avoidance of Purposeless Sins/Activities): One must not commit unnecessary or purposeless sins such as the examples below: Thinking, talking, or preaching evil or ill of others. Being inconsiderate. Some examples include walking on grass when a sidewalk or road is available, or leaving the water running while brushing your teeth. Manufacturing or supplying arms for war. Reading or listening to immoral literature.
Being careless. Four Shikshä Vratas (Disciplinary Vows)
09. Sämäyika Vrata (Vow of Equanimous State for Limited Duration): This vow involves sitting down peacefully in one place for at least 48 minutes, not allowing passions of attachment and aversion to take place in the mind, and contemplating on the nature of the soul. The householder examines the purity of life he or she has attained, reads religious works showing
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015