Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

Author(s): Nathmal Tatia, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 41

necessary duty, he was expected to remain fully aware of the act, technically called avassiyā, until it was
completed; and on completion
also, he was to detach himself formally from the act, which was technically called nisīhiyā. In case of lapse, he was to retrace and repent (micchākāra). The monk was to give assent (tahakkāra) to whatever was done by his superiors or the organization, which implied that every member of the organization fully participated in the activity of the monastic society. The monk was to invite (technically called chandana) the fellow monks to partake of what he collected in his begging round and ask them for any further requirements of theirs (technically called nimamtaṇā) that he could
References
1 XXV. 7.555.
2 X. 102.
3 XXVI.
4 V. 665.
5 Pp. 341-354.
6 Vv. 1378-1623.
7 IV. vv. 125 ff.
8 XII.
9 Vv. 760-767.
10 V. 665.
11 samācaraṇam samicarah-siṣṭācarikarya-kalapaḥ, samācāra eva
taḥ
sāmācāryam...
12 I. 1. 1.
13 1.8.11.
14 pauruşeyi vyavastha samayaḥ, tanmūlā ācārāḥ samayācārāḥ, teşu bhavaḥ samayācārikāḥ smärtä dharmaḥ.
15 Anguttara
Nikaya, II, p. 60
(Nālandā).
16 samada sāmāyāro sammācāro samo vā āyāro/savvesim sammāņam sāmācaro du acaro//-Muläcăra, IV,v.123.
The Ten Samācārīs 9
meet in his next begging round. The monk was required to obtain the permission of the Head for engaging himself in any act concerned with himself or the Order. This was technically called apucchanṇā (seeking permission). In case a fresh approval of the superior monk or the organization was to be taken, it was called the act of paḍipucchaṇā (confirmation).
This system of sāmācārī throws light on the cohesive character of the monastic organization. In fact, it was a voluntary body, governed by rules framed by itself, and practically with no authority to enforce them. It was the good will of each monk that worked as an impelling power behind the administration.
17 Malayagiri's commentary on Avaśyaka Niryukti, v. 665,
18 IV, v. 124.
19 Vv. 760-761.
20 Vv. 1381, 1624.
21 Brhatkalpa Bhasya, v. 1265 Commentary.
22 Avaśyaka Niryukti, vv. 668-669. jai abbhatthijja param kāraṇajãe karijja se koi/tatthavi icchakäro na kappai baläbhiogo u//abbhuvagayammi najjai abbhattheum na vattai paro u/anigühiyabalavirieņa sāhuņā tāva hoyavvam//
23 Malayagiri's commentary on Avaśyaka Niryukti, v. 677.
24 Avaśyaka Niryukti, vv.. 683-688; Mūlācāra IV.v. 126; Uttarajjhayaṇāņi, XXVI. 6.
25 Avaśyaka
Niryukti, vv. 689-690; Mūlācāra, IV. v. 126; Uttarajjhayaṇāņi, XXVI. 6.
26 Uttaradhyayana Bṛhadvṛtti, p. 534. 27 Ibid., p. 534.