Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

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

Page 54

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The Four Stages of Sin
Paramātma-dvātrimśikā,4 which runs IN BUDDHISM as follows: kṣatim manah-suddhi-vidher ati- In Buddhist monasticism also
kramam similar stages are distinguished for vyatikramam silavrter vilangha- the purpose of meting out different
nam; categories of punishment. For inprabho 'ticāram vișayeșu var- stance, if one digs a pit for a man
tanam saying : ‘falling into it he will die,' vadant yanācāram ihā tisaktatām. there is an offence of dukkata
(Atikrama, they say, consists in (wrong-doing); the man falls down the pollution of the texture of the into it, there is an offence of dukmind; vyatikrama in crossing the kața (wrong-doing); in falling down barriers of vows; aticāra, O Lord, in a painful feeling arises, there is an indulgence in the pleasures of the offence of thullaccaya (grave transworld; and anācāra in excessive gression); if he dies, there is an attachment to them.)
offence involving pārājika (defeat). The above-mentioned four stages Again suppose one digs a pit withcan be illustrated in the case of out a purpose and says of whoever the ādhäkarma offence. Suppose a falls into it, he will die', there is devotee closely related to the monk an offence of dukkata (wronginvites him to his house for offering doing); a man falls down into it, food specially prepared for him. there is an offence of dukkata The monk (1) accepts the invitation, (wrong-doing); in falling down a (2) proceeds towards the place with painful feeling arises, there is the his bowl, enters the house, and offence of thullacaja (grave transgreextends his bowl, (3) accepts the ssion); if he dies, there is an offence 'food', returns to the abode to in- involving pārājika (defeat).? form his superior, starts eating, and Let us take another case. A finally, (4) swallows the food. Here monk commands another monk acceptance of invitation is atikrama. saying 'deprive so and so of life', The monk's movement towards the there is an offence of dukkata house upto the extension of the wrong-doing) for the commander; bowl is vyatikrama. Acceptance of the monk commanded, thinking the food upto the start of eating is this is the person (to be deprived of aticāra. Actual swallowing of the life), kills him, there is an offence food is anācāra.5
involving pārājika (defeat) for both; The punishment prescribed for but in case he, by mistake, kills the first three stages mentioned another person (not intended to be above is heavy one month (māsa- killed), there is an offence involving guru) austerity divided into three pārājika (defeat) for the murderer, grades of increasing intensiveness. there being no offence for the instiThe punishment for the fourth gator. 8 stage in heavy four month (catur- The above account is from the māsa-guru) austerity.6
Pali Vinaya Pițaka. In Sanskrit