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Dr. Charlotte Krause : Her Life & Literature
relatively smaller than that of hurting a Sādhu. From this standpoint, it can be understood why Jainism forbids flesh-eating, and, on the other hand, objects little to the eating of vegetables.
The other great principle permeating the prescriptions of Samvara, is Self-control. It is clear that only the calm, sober mind that does not allow himself to be subdued by the four Passions (the Kaşāyas ), viz., Anger, Pride, Illusion, and Covetousness, but masters them, that only such a mind can hope to master Karma too.
Therefore, it is understood that the indulgence in intoxication articles, which confounds the intellect, and awakens low passions, as well as over indulgence in sleep, or in any other thing what-soever, whether it be joy or grief or attachment, is contrary to Jaina Ethics. There should be soberness, measure, wakefulness in everything and in every action, even in austerities, which have to be performed exactly in the way and to the extension fixed before. Nothing is more contemptible to the striver after true perfection than drowsiness on one, and ecstasy on the other side.
Now, it is time to consider the different prescriptions for Saṁvara themselves. They are as follows: [a] The Five Samitis
The five Samitis are prescriptions for the regulation of the movements of the body in accordance with the two principles, more particularly the principle of non-injury. They are ---
(i) The Iryā Samiti, i.e., regulation of walking. It commands the individual, which, of course, must needs, with every movement, destroy some lower life, to walk in a way as to cause the least possible injury. Thus, a Jaina monk will walk only on barren earth, avoiding the touch of plants and of water, and after having carefully examined the way before him. He will avoid going out at night or, if forced to go, he will slightly move a kind of soft broom before him, in order to sweep away whatever higher form of life there might happen to be; he will never use any kind of vehicle, and will never walk over a carpet.
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