________________
Ethics of Jainism :: 65
members practise the injunctions laid down by Jaina religion. The rules of conduct prescribed for the first two categories of ascetics were almost identical and were to be observed with more strictness. Similar rules were enjoined upon the last two categories of laity but these are allowed to be practised with less degree of strictness and according to one's own capacity. In each group the conduct was regulated by vows which every member was required to observe in his or her daily life.
Since the aim of the rules of conduct and vows prescribed for the srāvakas and srāvikās, is self-purification, it is but natural that they should be classified on the basis of their capacity. The srāvaka is a term used to designate a layman. The srāvaka is defined as sīņoti iti srāvakaḥ, sulfa sia 311967:) that is, the śrāvaka is a layman who śļnoti, i.e., listens to and accordingly follows religious precepts. Obviously, the term srnoti, i.e., listens to and accordingly follows religious precepts. Obviously the term srāvaka is used for a Jaina householder who has faith in his religion and is accustomed to put into practice the precepts of religion according to his capacity.
It is common experience that men and women differ in their capacity for intellectual grasp and firmness of will. Some Jaina thinkers have accordingly adopted a three-fold division of the śrāvakas as follows:
(i) Pāksika śrāvaka is a layman who has a Paksa, i.e.,
inclination, towards ahimsā, i.e., the basic principle of non-injury to living beings. He possesses samyaktva, i.e., firm faith in Jaina religion, and practises the mula-gunas, i.e., the basic or primary virtues of a Jaina householder, and also the anu-vratas, i.e., the small vows, prescribed for observance by a Jaina householder, and is assiduous in performing the
pājā, i.e., worship. (ii) Naisthika śrāvaka is a layman who pursues the path
upwards through the pratimās, i.e., the stages of householder's life, till he reaches the last, that is the
