Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

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

Page 94

62 The Four Monastic Courses
posing on oneself secret resolves habitat. He has now to practise (abhigraha) to test one's capacity physical posture of ukkudua (Skt. for the most extreme form of self- utkuțaka squatting) only, and not mortification, finally leading to fas- any other kind. 128 ting upto death technically called, abhyudyata-śāsana or abh yudyata- VII. Adoption of the Victor's Course marana.
Ordinarily the Victor's Course The first aspect of parikarma is is adopted in the presence of a achieved by the five praśasta bhā- tirtharkara or a ganadhara or a yanās126 or tests mentioned above. monk versed in fourteen or ten
In the second aspect of parikar- pūrvas, or in the absence of any of ma out of the four basic necessities these, under a banyan tree or an of life, viz. (i) shelter, (ii) medicine, aśoka tree, or other suitable trees. (iii) outfits such as garments, and Before the adoption of such (iv) food, the aspirant has already Course, a competent ganin who done away with the first two, and has headed the organization tempois now bent upon reducing the last
rarily on trial should be placed in two. Besides the reduction and
charge of the organization. In final elimination of monastic out- case the aspirant himself is not a fits, the most important item of
gamin, the formality of placing parikarma is the begging of food
another ganin in charge would not which is now restricted in various
be necessary. ways, including its quality, by the aspirant. In monastic life one is to VIII. Forgiveness and its Merits be very careful in respect of begg.
Then the aspirant should appro
Then the ac ing food-pindaişaņā. He is now ach the monastic organization for absolutely indifferent about the mutual forgiveness. On the comquality of the food, remaining satis- pletion of the ceremony of forgivefied even with stale and insipid ness, the aspirant is freed from the inferior quality of grains easily emotional thorns and passions. available everywhere. Health is The formality of forgiveness confers now no concern for the aspirant.
six merits, viz. (i) absence of thorns His spirituality sustains him
of deceit, etc., (ii) humility, (iii) illthrough this great spiritual ordeal.
umination of the spiritual path for V. Monastic Outfit (Upakarana)
the practice of others, (iv) freedom
from burden of crimes committed As regards the monastic outfit in the past, (v) solitude on account like robe, bowl, etc., he does not of his isolation consequent upon accept the new ones until the old
forgiveness, (vi) absence of attach
forgiveness. (vil ab ones are out of use and new ones
ment on account of the dissociation are offered. 127
from the Order of disciples. 129
VI. Posture
The aspirant has now no fixed
IX. Admonition to the Successor 130
Before departure, the aspirant