________________
Celibacy and Chastity
145
Hence proper exercises are recommended on the basis of the principle of "a sound mind in a sound body."
Again, for the 'sound mind' it is recommended that proper and healthy literature etc. should be read, so that sex does not get unusual and additional support and insalutary thoughts are not provoked.
The fourth aid is the avoidance of pseudo and misleading companions. The texts denounce bad companions as a major hindrance to the upliftment of any aspirant to spiritual enhancement.
The last aid is spoken as the avoidance of resorting to theatrical performances etc. which arouses attachment to worldliness and is therefore against the principle of asceticism.
All these aids are valuable to the maintenance of outer morality only, but a well maintained outer morality will in the long run prove helpful in the advancement of inner morality. Transgressions and Punishments
For a monastic life 'celibacy' is the most essential precept and, therefore, in the Vinaya and the Pātimokkha a great deal has been said regarding its various facets and its transgressions. The account regarding this is the most detailed one among all the five precepts. How far is the precept violated ? How strong are offences ? What are their respective punishments ? All these questions with all the minutest details are discussed in the Vinaya at length. The transgressions and offences connected with the violation of this precept are regarded as major, because the violation of it by the monks would mean violation not only of this very precept but of other precepts also, such as truth, non-stealing, non-violence, etc., which are closely related to it. The monk plans for illegitimate sex indulgence in a secret manner because it primarily demands a secluded place (in that sense it includes stealing) and then he does not want to disclose it to any one else, out of shame or
10
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
