Agam 30 Prakirnak 07 Gacchachar Sutra

Author(s): D S Baya
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan

Page 42

PREFACE : XLI
In the present volume even the slightest touch of a woman has been said to be as harmful for a monk as the dreadful serpent that can kill at sight (Drstivisa sarpa), flaming fire and the most potent poison. It has been said that the monastic group in which the monks never touch not only young girls and old women but also, the female members of their own erstwhile families such as their own grand daughters, daughters and sisters, is the true monastic group. Not only for the monks but even for the Acārya, it has been said that the Acārya who touches a woman, must be considered as corrupt. (82–87)
According to this work the monastic group in which the monks and the nuns enjoy the worldly wealth such as gold and silver, money and grains, material objects and coloured clothes is an unrestrained monastic group. On the contrary, the group in which the monks do not touch such things even when there are reasons enough for doing so, is the true monastic group. (89-90)
This work totally forbids the monks from using the clothes, pots and other monastic equipage brought by the nuns. (91-96)
This work enjoins all spiritually inclined aspirants to leave the monastic group of the monks who remain engaged in violence, sensual enjoyments and activities contrary to the dictates of the canons and join the righteous monastic groups and stay there till the end. (101–105)
Analysing the characteristics of the nuns it has been said that the monastic groups in which the young and youthful nuns stay alone, step out of the residence alone at night even for some essential activity, talk to the householders in violent and amorous tones, wear colourful clothes, massage their bodies with oil, maintain their bodies by bathing etc and sleep on cotton-filled mattresses or act in various ways that are contrary to the canonical