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An Epitome of Jainism (d) Brahmacharya
.. chastity, purity. (e) Aparigraha
.. non-attachment. This practical right conduct can be observed either partially or fully. Laymen observe it partially, while those who observe it fully are saints. Partial observance is merely a stepping stone to the conduct of a saint, without following which it is not possible to advance spiritually and to ultimately liberate the soul from kârmic bondage.
A layman is required to follow the seven supplementary vows also, as they are helpful in the proper observance of the first five.
Out of these seven, the following three are called Guņavratas (multiplicative vows) because they raise the value of the five vows multifold :
Dig-Vrata, a life-long vow to limit wordly activities to fixed points in all the ten directions, North, South, East, West, North-east, North-west, Southeast, South-west, above and below.
Deśa-Vrata, a vow to limit wordly activity for a fixed period only.
Anartha-Danda Vrata. Taking a vow not to commit purposeless sin. It is of five kinds :
(a) Apa-Dhyâna, Thinking ill of others. (b) Pâpodeśa. Preaching evil of others. (c) Pramâda-charyâ. Inconsiderate conduct, such as uselessly breaking
the boughs of trees. (d) Himmsâ-dân. Preparing or supplying instruments of attack.
(e) Duśruti. Reading or listening to improper literature. The remaining four are the following Shiksâ Vratas or disciplinary vows, so-called because they are preparatory to the discipline of an ascetic's life:
Sâmâyika. Taking a vow to devote a fixed period every day, once, twice, or three times, at sunrise, sunset and noon to the contemplation of the self for spiritual advancement.
Prosadhopvása. Taking a vow to fast on four days of the month, i.e. the two Aștamîs and the two Chaturdasîs.
Bhogopobhoga Parimâņa. Taking a vuw every day to limit one's enjoyment of consumable and non-consumable things.
Atithi-Samvibhaga. Taking a vow to take one's food only after feeding ascetics or others with a part of it.
Every Jaina house-holder is ordinarily required to perform the following six daily duties :
1. Deva-Půjâ. Worship of the Arhats, the adorables. 2. Guru Bhakti. Devotion to the gurus or preceptor-saints. 3. Svâdhyâya. Study of the scriptures.
4. Samyama. Control of the five senses and the mind. In practising Samyama, it is necessary to renounce certain objects of enjoyments with the idea of self-control.
5. Tapa. Austerities such as meditating upon the nature of soul, every morning and evening, for a fixed time.
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