Basic Principles Of Jainism

Author(s): Narayan Lal Kachhara
Publisher: Narayan Lal Kachhara

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Sapta Vyasanas (Seven Vices)
Jainism mentions SaptaVyasanas, seven vices, and enjoins on its followers to stay away from these vices. The Saptavyasanas are: gambling, consumption of non-vegetarian food (flesh feeding), consumption of alcohol (liquor), harlotry (prostitution), hunting, theft and adultery (parastrigamana-sexual relation with another woman). Absenting from these vices is must for all ardent followers of Jainism and forms the minimum conduct expected of them. These in a way are seven commandments of Jain religion.
Shramanachara, Conduct of Ascetics
Mahavrata
The five vratas namely, ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacarya and aparigraha which a house-holder observes in a small way are required to be observed with the fullest of their implications by ascetics without permitting any of the transgressions. It is not enough if an ascetic abstains from physical injury to any mobile or immobile living creatures: he must observe the vow in mind, speech and action (conduct) so that he exhibits the highest degree of caution and care in his movements, thoughts, food and drinks. The vow of truthfulness requires him to be free from anger, greed, fear and delusion so that anything he utters is free from the taint of impurity of any kind. The vow of Asteya or non-stealing has to be observed not only by refraining from acceptance of what is not given but also by observing the self-imposed limitations in the matter of begging for food, acceptance of food and drink of great purity in quantities lesser than he needs and in the choice of his abode which ought to be in any forest or secluded place. The vow of celibacy does not stop with abstinence from sexual activities; he must not entertain any thought of sex or passion. He should not take any feed which is likely to incite his passion; he should not think of any woman nor give any cause by talk or gesture so as to excite passion in him or in the woman. He should not try to relive his past sexual contacts. Aparigraha or non-attachment does not only mean non-attachment to external objects and property but includes non-attachment to the body or its requirements. He must annihilate his desires and should attach no greater importance to the body than to regard it as an instrument for practice of Dharma and realization of the three Jewels.
In the next stage the ascetic initiates steps to prevent inflow of karma. There are six ways to accomplish prevention of karma. These six ways are Gupti, Samiti, Dharma, Anupreksha, Parisahajay and Charitra. We explain them here briefly. Gupti consists of properly restraining the mental, vocal and physical faculties. Samiti consists of maintaining vigilance while making movement, while speaking, while accepting the required articles, while moving any object and while disposing the waste (excreta). Gupti and Samiti are closely related; they together constitute the eight main precepts of Lords. Dharma means the attributes that constitute a spiritually purposeful religion. These attributes consist of the ten supreme virtues.
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