Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

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

Page 44

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The Asamāhițțhāņas
mentioned. But in the Mulācāra,1 Similarly, in place of the occathe expression asamāhi is found in sion of imbalance no. 7, there is the the same sense. This indicates the păcittiya no. 11 which reads bhūtaimportance of the topic in monastic gamapatavyatāya păcittiyam, that conduct, which appears elaborated is, for destruction of vegetable by the Svetāmbara elders.
growth there is an offence of expi
ation. It is interesting to note here IN BUDDHISM
that although, in Buddhism, the Let us now see how such imbal- vegetable growth is not due to the ances have found a record in the existence of soul or life in it, their Buddhist monastic code which was monastic code prohibits destruction definitely influenced in some way of vegetation, most certainly under or other by the life led by the Jaina the influence of the Jaina view of monks and nuis in those days. the vegetable kingdom as possessed
The first occas on of imbalance of life and soul. may be compared with several sekhi- The occasion of imbalance no. ya dhammā (rules connected with 10 may be compared with the pācitraining prescribed for the Buddhist ttiva no. 3 which says; bhikkhumonks and nuns). For instance, pesuññe păcittiyam, that is, there is the sekhiya dhamma no. 5 prescribes an offence of expiation in backbiting that a monk should learn to enter a or slandering. house, completely self-possessed and Again, the occasion of imbalance not indulging in careless movement no. 13 finds its very close parallel of his limbs. Again no. 11 prescri- in the pācittiya no. 63 which runs as bes that he should not enter the follows: yo pana bhikkhu jānam house with a wavering body (kāya- yathādhammam nihatādhikaranam ppacālakam) or with body stiffened puna kammāya ukkoțeyya, pācitti(Khambhakato).
yam which means "whatever monk Corresponding to the occasion should knowingly open up for a of imbalance of mind no. 5, there is further act a legal question settled the Buddhist pācittiya no. 2 which according to rule, there is an offence reads on asavāde păcittiyam. Here of expiation." This rule provides omasa means reproach or insult. an insight into the legal disputes The etymology of the word is not that were a common feature of the known but the commentary explains monastic organizations of those it as 'insulting' by pointing out to days. the birth, name, family, profession, Similarly the 16th imbalance has etc., of one's superiors. In the Cūrņi a parallel in the 13th sekhiya dhaof the Āyāradasāo there is the men- mma, the 17th in the 10th sanghādition of eight madasthānas (sources sesa. of pride), namely, jāti 'birth', etc., in this conneccion. There is, therefore, IN BRAHMANISM no doubt that there is a very close, In the Brāhmanical texts on the relation between these two concepts. yatidharma, and the duties of a