Doctrines of Jainism

Author(s): Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi
Publisher: Vallabhsuri Smarak Nidhi Godiji Jain Derasar Mumbai

Page 47

The Doctrines of the Jainas
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daneness, loveliness, separateness, impurity, inflow, stoppage, relinquishment, universe, rarity of right path, and nature of right path.
The Avasyaka sutra (Avassaya suya) refers to kayotsarga which is an ascetic mode of atoning for the excess in sinful indulgences (aticara). It implies the idea of particular bodily postures to be adopted in keeping oneself unmoved on suitable spot. It is a Jaina mode of dhyana (jhana) practice. He who practises this mode is required to keep his body, mind, and speech under perfect restraint. His mind is to be kept intent on the particular object of meditation. Jainism lays stress on the practice of selfmortification as a means of checking one's passion as well as of inducing mental concentration. From samayika to kayotsarga all the modes are to be carefully studied and methodically practised with a view to clearing the path of progress of aspirant towards the attainment of emancipation.
There are five samitis and three guptis which constitute eight means of self-control. They are also known as the eight articles of Jaina creed. In Buddhism the ideas of samiti and gutti are found to be the same. The samitis are the following: (1) going by paths trodden by men, carts, and beasts, etc., and looking carefully so as not to cause the death of living beings; (2) using sweet, gentle and righteous speech; (3) receiving alms in a manner to avoid forty-two faults; (4) receiving and keeping things necessary for religious exercises; and (5) performing the operation of Nature in an un. frequented place.2 Gutti is vedic gupti meaning protec
1. Cf. Digha, 1, P. 172. 2. Digho, II, 292.