Agam 30 Prakirnak 07 Gacchachar Sutra

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

Page 68

GACCHĀCĀRA PRAKĪRNAKA : 19
57–58. The humble disciple is not only unattached from desire for
clothes and pots but he is also detached from his own body. He is able to avoid forty-two flaws of seeking food whether he gets it in the process or he may not. He does not seek food either for enhancing his appearance, or for taste, or for bodily prowess, or for pride but for carrying the load of his monastic responsibilities just as the cart-axle carries its (the cart's) entire weight.
59.
The six reasons for which a monk takes food are – 1. To mitigate the pangs of hunger, 2. To serve his guru, 3. To be able to undertake monastic peregrinations, 4. To properly observe monasticism, 5. To keep alive, and 6. To practice (by undertaking pious contemplation) and propagate the faith.
60.
O'Gautama ! that monastic group is the real monastic group where the distinction of the elders and the juniors is properly maintained, the elders are bowed to and venerated, so much so that some one even a day senior in monastic hierarchy, is not flouted.
61.
O' Gautama ! the monastic group in which the monks do not thoughtlessly accept the food brought by the nuns even when there is a danger to their lives, due to severe famine, is the real monastic group.
62.
The monastic group in which very old toothless monks also do not look at the ladies' physiology and do not indulge in loose talk with the nuns is the real monastic group.
63.
O' vigilant monks ! consider the contact with the nuns as forbidden as the contact with fire and poison. The monk that maintains contact with them soon earns defamation.