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[ FIFTH CHAPTER : FOOD SELECTION]
INTRODUCTION
OSS SO
After describing in the fourth chapter the fundamental virtues of a shraman, namely the five great-vows, this fifth chapter discusses the codes of collecting alms as secondary virtues.
The title of this chapter is Pindaishana.
The general meaning of the word pind is ‘a lump’ or ‘solid food'. In the Jain canonical literature this word has been mainly used for solid or liquid food, or the four types of food, ashan, paan, khadya and svadya (details in chapter 4, para 16). Eshana means to select and accept after inspecting for purity and impurity.
Eshana is of three types—
1. Gaveshana-checking the origin and purity of food, or the discipline about purity of food.
2. Grahanaishana-checking the procedure of accepting food, or the discipline of obtaining alms.
3. Paribhogaishana-checking the procedure of consuming food, or the discipline of eating food.
Bhagavan Mahavir has said that the solicitation of alms by a shrąman should have nine fold purity. This has been called the bumble-bee attitude in the first chapter. The nine fold purity is
For food do not harm beings, or inspire others to do so, or approve of others doing so.
Do not buy food, or inspire others to do so, or approve of others doing so.
Do not cook food, or inspire others to do so, or approve of others doing so. (Sthanang Sutra 9)
OSSOS
qu3TEURTU NUT (2
874) Fifth Chapter : Pindaishana (Ist Section)
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