Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

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

Page 78

46
The Four Monastic Courses
(ii) Place (Kşetra) : Proper sur that of the preceptor. If, on being vey of the place is necessary before properly asked, a disciple does not commencing the itinerary. The pre- give a complete and correct inforceptor should consult his stem mation about the place being con(gaccha) or group (gana) before sidered for itinerary, he is guilty of sending monks for the survey work an offence punishable by a light(kşetra-pratyupekşana). Various monthly- penance (māsa-laghu), and expiations32 have been prescribed the whole responsibility of any for the non-fulfilment of this con- inconvenience caused to the group dition.
or the stem falls on him. The preceptor should take In other words, the preceptor advantage of the experience of the and his disciples and guest monks experts in his stem and get the should share the responsibility places covered by the itinerary duly ic surveyed. In the absence of proper
(ii) Inspection Party (Pratyusurvey in advance, his party may
peksakāḥ): For the purpose of surface obstructions like thieves, fero
vey, the inspection parties consisting cious beasts, mosquitoes and insects,
of seven, five, or three monks famines, trials and tribulations,
should be constituted and despatcalamities and misfortunes, and so
ched in different directions. Those on. The places included in his
who are experienced in survey work itinerary may be inhabited by un
proceed on their duty with the percivilized people (mleccha) or un
mission of their Head (ganāvucchechaste women in the garb of nuns
daka). In the absence of such ex(tāpasi). The preceptor should consult both his own disciples and
perts, the Head himself should
proceed. The following are unfit the guest monks (padicchaga) who
for the survey work : (a) attendant might be there at that time, because otherwise he may hurt their feel
(vaiyārsttyakara), (b) novice (bāla), ings, and create dissension that may
(c) old (vrddha), (cl) mortifier (kha
maja, Skt. kşapaka), (e) monoharm his plan of itinerary. In brief,
maniac, such as a book-worni, it is the duty of the preceptor to
(vahamta=Skt. Jogarāhin), and () consult all the monks and nuns, irrespective of their age and monas
non-adept (agītārtha). tic standing, treating the whole Only the adept (gītārtha) discistem or group as one well-knit ples should be engaged in the surorganization. Any kind of discri- vey work. But in the absence of mination in the act of consulting such experts, any among the above on the part of the preceptor was six in order of priority beginning considered an offence that was from the last mentioned, may be penalized by light-monthly-penance commissioned. Such selection on (māsa-laghu).
the part of the ācārya obliges The responsibility of the disci- him to observe different kinds of ples in this matter is not less than penances.