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JAINA ETHICS
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complete abstinence from the commission of the five sins in mind, thought and action during fixed time without reference to limits of space.40 According to him, it can be cbserved in a temple, house, garden or other quiet place when the mind is peaceful and happy, either by standing in a kayotsarga posture or sitting in a padmasana porture. The observance of this vow endows the practice of the five vows (aņuvratas) with perfection, as the householder is then free from all activities, occupational or physical.
Amritacandra says that the practice of the vow, with a mind purged from love and hatred towards all beings and with complete equanimity by contemplating on the true principles, leads to selfrealisation: it should be practised in the morning and evening, though the practice of it at other times is also beneficial. Attainment of equanimity by practice of the vow will result in abstinence from sinful activities. Sāmāyika, if practised regularly, brings about equanimity of mind and mental concentration on the atman.
The individual intending to perform the vrata must not be in fear of any one or in dispute with any one or indebted to any one, nor should there be any other cause of anxiety to sway his mind in any direction. He must, like a sadhu, observe the five samitis and the three guptis and avoid all harmful (savadya) speech; and before picking up or setting down any object, he must not neglect pratilekhana (i. e. scanning of the ground) and pramārjana (cleaning of the ground by a soft broom carefully). He should try to avoid spitting or blowing his nose; and if he cannot help doing so, he must find out a bare patch of ground, scan it and softly clean it as aforesaid.11 A layman engaged in the practice of Sāmāyika looks like an ascetic but for his clothes.
Somadeva has broadened the concept of Sāmāyika as including worship of the Arhat with or without the idol, worship of the sacred scriptures by singing in praise of Sarasvati and meditation. The aspirant should sing in praise of the Jina and absorb himself in meditation of Self. Both Samantabhadra and Amritacandra have pointed out that Sāmāyika should be practised when the aspirant is observing full or partial fast. He should think of the causes of transmigration and meditate on the pathway to salvation.
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