Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

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

Page 84

52 The Four Monastic Courses
later on, having been apprised of the destination.
The date and time of departure are fixed considering the lunar days (tithi), such as nandā, bhadrā, etc., the astrological divisions (karaṇa) of the day such as bava, bālava, etc., and the constellations (nakṣatra) that are favourable to the leader of the Order. The advance party consists of the adept (gitärtha) monks, who were capable of reading the omens.59
At the time of departure, the ācārya should appreciate the services rendered by the house owner, and encourage him for further services to the Order. The other monks should pack up their outfit behind a curtain (cilimili),60 set up for the sake of privacy. The transport of the outfit should be entrusted to physically strong monks, sparing as far as possible the infant, old, and ailing monks, allowing the latter to carry their own usual minimum (ahājāyam) outfit.61 In the Order there were usually some predetermined (abhigrahika) monks who were used to carry the excess outfit of the infant, old, and sick monks.62
(xiii) Expiation for Overstay: On the itinerary the Order could halt at a suitable place for the prescribed period of one day only, and penance was prescribed for any overstay, with which increased the length of the stay.63 Six gradually intensive kinds of penance (tapaḥ)64 are prescribed for the halts of two to seven days; for a halt beyond seven days, the expiations called cheda, múla, anavasthā
pya and pārāñcika were prescribed for stays of 8, 9, 10 and 11 days respectively.65
According to some texts, a harsher punishment was prescribed for such overstays. The harshness of the punishment varies directly with the status of the monk. For instance, for a similar overstay, "heavy four-monthly-penance" is prescribed for the ācārya, "light one-monthly-penance" for a bhikṣu (ordinary monk),66
The chief reason for this punishment was the probable inconvenience caused to the house-owner at the next stay, and to the Order itself on account of the sudden change in the schedule of pre-arranged itinerary. In addition, such overstay could result in the Order's undue attachment to the place or people of the locality.67
(xiv) On Arrival: On reaching the destination, the adept should read the omens while entering the abode, exactly as he did at the time of departure from the previous place. A senior member of the advance survey party should greet the ācārya who should then express his appreciation of the house-owner for offering residence to the Order.68
(xv) Maryādā or Sāmācārī 'Deportment' The first item now is the allotment of space to the monks according to their seniority. For the ācārya, three apartments called nivāta (unbreezy), pravāta (breezy), and niväta-pravata (unbeeezy-cumbreezy) were reserved, and for other monks, proper accommoda