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CONDUCT
C06 - Panchächär: Five Codes of Conduct
This literally means bearing physical affliction. During spiritual pursuit, one comes across many hardships. If one is not accustomed to bear them, one cannot maintain 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. 6 Sanlinayä or Sanlinata (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 the most possible amenities in life. The purpose of this austerity is to curtail that tendency and to practice feeling comfortable within a
restricted area. This term can also mean staying tuned or attentive. The purpose of these external austerities is to equip aspirants to face hardships that they may come across during spiritual pursuits. This will help them observe peace and tranquility of mind even in adverse circumstances. Abhyantar Tapa (Internal Austerities):
Päyachchhittam Vinao Veyavachcham Tahev Sajzäo Jhänam Ussaggo Vi A Abbhintarao Tavo Hoy
-Panchächär Sutra Repentance, modesty, selfless service, study of the self, meditation, and staying beyond
physical aspects are the internal austerities. 1 Päyachchhittam or Präyashchitta (Repentance): This means atonement or repentance. We often indulge in wrong and undesirable activities Because of addiction, weakness of mind, pitfalls, or shortsightedness. The spiritual aspirant has to stay constantly aware of all of these indulgences. Whenever one notices anything wrong on his part, one should repent and atone for it. One's sense of remorse should be strong enough to avoid repeating such indulgences. If this austerity is undertaken with sincerity, one can eventually reach the state of perfection. 2 Vinay (Modesty): This means modesty and respect for others. Respect has to be appropriate and may even take the form of worship for deserving entities. This will help the aspirant proceed towards spiritual development. For instance, if one has regard for his preceptor, he would not undertake any activity without seeking guidance from such preceptor. This would automatically keep him away from indulging in any wrong or undesirable activities. He would also want to attain the attributes of those deserving entities and this can lead him towards perfection. 3 Veyävachcham or Vaiyavruttya (Selfless service): This means selfless service. The spiritual aspirant should realize that all living beings have the same type of soul. He should, therefore, feel a sense of amity towards everyone. He would then be willing to serve others without expecting anything in return. Such service can result in elimination of arrogance. 4 Sajzäo or Swadhyay (Study of Self): Literally, this means study of oneself. It takes two forms. One is to become aware of one's own faults and limitations and work towards avoiding them. The other form of Swadhyay is to understand the nature of the true Self. The aspirant learns that the soul is inherently pure, enlightened, flawless, and imbibed with infinite perception, knowledge, power, and bliss. He would strive to manifest those attributes to attain liberation. 5 Jhänam or Dhyana (Meditation): Meditation in Jainism means attentiveness and specifies four types of Dhyana known as Artadhyana, Raudra-dhyana, Dharma-dhyana and Shukla-dhyana. The first two categories are nonvirtuous and do not form part of this austerity. The remaining two are virtuous and are needed for Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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