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BUNKACHULA (The benefits of vows and codes)
in life conditions are never uniform. Sometimes there is happiness and at others there is sorrow; sometimes it is profit and sometimes it is loss. Such rise and fall are part of life. Due to this on occasions one is filled with excitement and enthusiasm and on occasions he is depressed with sorrow. The path of life is very complex. To move on such path it is essential to take support of vows and codes of conduct. These codes give strength to our will power and thereby show the right direction.
In Jain literature there is a beautiful story on observing the codes - The story of Bunkachula. This story conveys how a person changes the direction of his life from fall to rise with the power of strong determination.
Bunkachula was a prince, who got spoiled in his childhood due to doting affection and became slave of bad habits. Finally his father exiled him from the kingdom. Wandering around he came to a colony of bandits. He joined them and after becoming their chief he indulged in theft and robbery. He became completely reckless and evil. But one who falls, rises as well. One day Bunkachula came in contact with an ascetic observing austerities. The ascetic made him take four vows. As he was impressed by the ascetics austere way of life he willingly accepted all the four vows.
The very next day came the test of his resolve. He remained unmoved in his first vow and his life was saved. The second vow saved his wife and dear sister. Due to the third vow he regained his lost royal grandeur and honour. During the last days of his life the fourth vow gave him a divine rebirth.
In this story of Bunkachula the qualitative results of observing vows and the code have been shown. Observing the vows and code with determination builds a mans character and he gets benefits in his life. Each one of us should accept some good vows and codes in life.
Muni Shri Vimalchandra ji M. Sa of Shraman Sangh, the epitome of austerities, used to recite the story of Bunkachula eloquently in his discourses on vows and codes. Based on his discourses his able and saintly disciple Shri Virendra Muni ji has edited this picture story. We express our gratitude to him.
-Sanjay Surana
Associate Editor: Sanjay Surana
• Editor: Shri Virendra Muni • English Translation: Surendra Bothara
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