Aimutta Muni

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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STORIES DURING BHAGAWAN MAHAVIR'S LIFE
same. I want to be free of sins. Therefore, please give me permission to take Dikshä."
Aimuttä's mother was surprised by his words. She was happy in her mind for his fear of sins and his desire to take Dikshä because she was a religious woman. However, she wanted to be sure that Aimuttä understood what "taking Dikshä" meant. So she said, "My son, to take Dikshä is a very hard and disciplined life. You will not have a mother or a father to take care of you. How will you be able to handle such suffering?"
Aimuttä said, "Mother, this household life also has a lot of suffering. At least we know that as a monk the suffering will help destroy Karmas and will lead to liberation."
His mother was very happy to hear this. However, she wanted to test Aimuttä's determination further. She said, "Son, why are you in such a hurry? Wait for a while. You need to take care of us when we get old, and you will have your own family too."
Aimuttä said, "Mother, I learned from Lord Mahävir that no one is young or old. I also learned that no one knows what is going to happen tomorrow. No one knows who will die first or last. So why wait and miss the opportunity which is available to me today?"
His mother was very happy that her son fully understood what Dikshä meant and what his desire was.
She said, "Congratulations, my son. I am very proud of you. You will be a good monk. Do not forget that your goal is to attain liberation and be sure to observe ahimsa (non-violence) throughout your life. I give you permission to take Diksha,"
Aimuttä said, "Thank you, Mother. I will remember your advice."
Aimuttä's mother blessed him and wished him success in his new life. She also helped him get permission from his father, King Vijay.
A few days later he took Dikshä and became a monk called "Bälmuni (young monk) Aimuttä."
One day Bälmuni Aimuttä saw some children playing with a paper boat in a water puddle. He became excited about playing and forgot that as a monk he could not play with water. He ran towards the children and asked if he could play with them. The children became excited that a monk wanted to play with them. He took the lid off his container and started playing with it as if it were a boat. He said, "Look, my boat is also sailing." Meanwhile, other monks came there and saw him playing with water. They said, “Bälmuni, what are you doing? Did you forget that as a monk you should not play with water? Playing with water causes harm to many living beings that live in the water. As monks, we have taken a vow not to hurt any living being. You have violated your vow and have accumulated some bad Karmas."
Bälmuni Aimuttä realized his mistake. He immediately started repenting, "Oh! What have I done? I promised my mother that I would not do any sinful activity. These monks were kind enough to remind me of my mistake! What would have happened if these monks had not seen me?" He was truly regretful for what he had done. He left with the other monks. Monks have to recite the Iriyavahiyam Sutra after returning to their place from outside. Therefore, Bälmuni also recited this sutra. When he came to the part:
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JAIN STORY BOOK