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JAINA ETHICS
maintenance of servants, and two parts for performance of puja. According to Hemacandra, a mahāśrāvaka or an ideal householder should sow his wealth in seven fields (ksetras) with cmpassion for those in misery. The seven fields are: 1) the installation of Jaina images for the performance of pūjā; 2) construction of or repairs to Jaina temples; 3) copying of the sacred texts and their distribution to learned monks; 4) giving alms to monks; 5) alms to nuns: 6) charity to the laymen like construction of rest-houses, hospitals etc., and 7) charity to laywomen as above.17 It is worthy of note that monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen form the four pillars of the Jaina community.
The five aticāras or breaches of the vow of vaiyāvṛtya as noted by Samantabhadra are: 1) haritapidhana is covering the food to be offered with green leaves, flowers or other sacitta things: 2) harita-nidhāna refers to offering of food in sacitta leaves; 3) ană darāticăra consists in showing disrespect or absence of respect at the time of offering food; 4) asmaranāticara is forgetting the method of offering or getting lost in one's own work just in time; and 5) matsarita is feeling envy when others are offering food etc to ascetics.
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It will be seen that the Jaina ethics are founded on the principle of Ahimsa and love for all living beings. While a layman ought to have a rational faith in Jainism, his daily conduct must exhibit the true ideals of non-violence and truth. In his dealings, he must be upright to the core and practise charity not only by giving but also by cultivation of non-attachment towards worldly possessions. He must be constantly aware of his duties towards himself and to the society. His life as a layman should pave the way to the ultimate goal of scif- realisation. Possession of perfect faith and knowledge should not be a matter of mere theory but should be constantly reflected in daily conduct.
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