Aspects of Jaina Monasticism

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

Page 96

64 The Four Monastic Courses
scriptural knowledge of such an aspirant is the study of the ten Purvas in part only, because a complete knowledge of the ten Purvas would rather disqualify him for such undertaking on account of the fact that such an ascetic could effect greater dissociation (nirjarā) of karmic matter through higher services to the dissemination of scriptural knowledge and doing social service.136
(2) Bone - joints (Samghayaṇa, Skt. Samhanana): The aspirant to the Victor's Course should be possessed of a strong physical structure with joints characterized as vajaṛṣabhanārāca samhanana, 137 This gives him the necessary power of forbearance (dhrti) which is of the nature of mental steadiness as unshakable as the wall made of vajra (the material as hard as the diamond or the thunderbolt of Indra),138
(3) Trials and Tribulations (Upasarga): These may occur or may not occur, but the aspirant always has to remain prepared to endure them with equanimity and patience.139
(4) Calamities and Misfortunes (Atanka): These also may arise or not, but the aspirant has always to remain prepared to bear them.140
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(5) Sufferings (Vedana): This is of two kinds: (i) self-imposed (ābhyupagamiki), being due to the undertaking of the Victor's Course, and (ii) earned (aupakramiki) on account of the past karman. Under the first category are the routine plucking of hair, the austerity of exposure of body to the sun, and
so on; under the second are included various diseases, old age, and other painful sufferings earned due to the past karman.141
(6) Number (Kati janaḥ): There can be only one aspirant living alone,142 without any companion aspirant, as he has to live a solitary life, both physically and spiritually.
(7) Place for easing oneself (Sthandila): This is considered with reference to a place that is frequented or not frequented by people, and that is exposed and not exposed to their sight. The various combinations of these alternatives would give rise to four situations. 143 The only one among these prescribed for the aspirant is a place which is neither frequented nor exposed to sight. Such a place is also suitable for depositing worn - out garments. 144
His excrement is meagre and unbroken (whole) giving no occasion for besmearing the body, on account of his scanty and dry food.145 He never uses any other kind of place for easing himself or depositing his worn-out garments or any other kind of activity, even if he has to stop them for a very long period on account of natural calamities or periods of trials and tribulations. This extreme form of hardship is relaxed in the case of the monastic Course of the Elders.146
(8) Abode (Vasati): The aspirant to the Victor's Course should have no possessiveness to the abode nor should he indulge in any kind of reconditioning it such as painting or embellishing. In the sthavi