Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

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

Page 88

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The Four Monastic Courses
meal along with him. If any mem- prescribed for the sthavira-kalpa, ber or members of the party of vide the chapter “The Ten either ācāryas were unwilling on Sāmācārīs. account of ill-health or immaturity, The observance of all the ten they were allowed to finish their rules or only a few of them would meal at their own abode, and then depend on the status of the practileaving behind the immature mem- tioner. For instance, the deportbers, others would accompany the ment of tahakkāra is not applicable junior ācārya to the abode of the to the ācārya or the Head of the senior one.
gana or the gaccha as he has not In case, the junior ācārya him- to confirm his faith in any of the self was physically unable to go to instruction or sermon delivered to the senior acārya, or unable to wait others by the subordinate monks. upto that time or there was none In addition to the tenfold sāmā. else competent to give necessary cārī there is another consisting of instruction in deportment or con- 27 items84 that would be described fession (alocanā) to the immature in connection with the practice of members, then the two cāryas the Victor's Course. 85 It, however, might take their meals separately. deserves a brief treatment here so But if the senior ācārya were pleased far as the practitioners of the Elder's to do so, he might go to the abode Course are concerned. of the junior ācārya for the purpose (1) Knowledge of Scripture of the meal (samuddeśārtha).83 (Śruta): The minimum study expec
In case, there were more than ted of the practitioners of the one party of new-comers, the pre- Elder's Course is cultivation of the
eight scriptural matrices (pravacanaexperienced attendant monk (vaiyā māta), viz. five comportments yrttrakara) to accompany his coun- (samitis) and three restraints (gupterpart from the new-comer party or tis) of mind, speech and body. The parties for the purpose of collecting maximum extent is the entire alms. In such case, the experienced scripture including the fourteen monk should reduce proportionately Purvas. 86 his own share of alms in order to (2) Bone-joints (Samhanana): accommodate the new-comers. All the six types of bone-joints are It was generally prohibited to
possible. Forbearance (dhști) may go to the families devoted to asam-
be either strong or weak, 87
he vignas. But in extreme cases of
(3) & (4) Trials and Tribulanecessity for the sick monks, such
lions (Upasarga), Calamities and families could be approached for
Misfortunes (Ātanka): They may food and drink that was worthy of
be able or unable to tolerate them.88 acceptance.
(5) Sufferings (Vedanā) : They VII. Deportment (Sāmācārī)
may or may not be able to tolerate As regards the tenfold sāmācāri them. 89