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[ TENTH CHAPTER : HE IS BHIKSHU
INTRODUCTION
The title of this chapter is Sabhikkhu which means—'He is bhikshu'. The subject-matter of this chapter is to emphasize that only that person may be called a bhikshu (an ascetic) who conforms to the lofty and faultless conduct and routine detailed in the preceding nine chapters, and who meticulously follows the ideal procedure of alms-collection prescribed in chapters one and five.
Acharya Bhadrabahu has said "A bhikshu who resorts to almscollection for mere mundane subsistence and not for pursuing the goal of gaining virtues, is not an ascetic but a beggar.” An ascetic is one who seeks alms only to subsist on the spiritual path indulging in practices of ahimsa, discipline and austerity.
Acharyashri Atmaram ji M. states—“Based on the Sanskrit morphology and semantics the meanings of the word bhikshu can be a beggar'; and ‘one who drills a substance like wood' (a carpenter). Accordingly the interpretation here is--one who drills the karmas with the help of austerities detailed in scriptures.”
In this chapter numerous characteristic activities of ascetics (conduct, knowledge, tolerance) have been briefly discussed for the purpose of defining an ascetic,
The learned commentators have explained that as the properties of gold, including malleability, gravity, durability and resistance to chemicals, are tested by rubbing, drilling, heating and
KONTOR
३४०
श्री दशवैकालिक सूत्र : Shri Dashavaikalik Sutra
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