________________
120
Essence of Jainism
The word 'Brahmacarya' in common parlance has a known meaning and it is only a part of perfect self-control described above. The second definition in the Jain Scriptures accepts this meaning. According to this celibacy means cessation of sex-life or sexual attachment. This second meaning of the word is so very much current that mostly we take celibacy to mean keeping ones self away from Sex-contact. Thus, according to this common and current meaning man may be lacking in control in other matters; ho is still a celibate if he is away from sex-contact. This second meaning is duly considered and adopted in the acceptance of vows and rules. It would therefore happen that when one discards his house and becomes a Bhikṣu, or lives in his house and adopts limited renunciation, his observance of celibacy is to be accepted separately of the rule of non-violence. 1 (2) Qualified men and women
(a) Men and women both without the difference of sex are accepted as equally qualifed for celibacy. There is no prohibition of age, place or time for it. The Smrtis give a different view bere in that equal rights of this type are not accepted in the matter. The Jain and Bauddha Scriptures are one in their contention that the necessary capacity of the Self here can reveal itself equally in man and woman. This is the reason why sixteen women are known as Muhasatis from amongst so many that observed complete and pure celibacy. In the prayers in the morning in every Jain family, names of these sixteen Mahāsalīs are chanted along with those of so many noble men. There remembrance is considered to be extremely sacred and a blessing.
(6) There are examples of some celibate men and women who had gone loose in their life of celbacy. Far more celebrated are the examples of those men and women who showed wonderful steadiness in their celibacy. These examples consist not only of recluses but of persons in the stage of the householder. Bhikşu Nandişeņa, the son of king Bimbisāra Śrepika, fell down from his celibacy and accepted the life of worldly enjoyment for twelve 1. Vide Pāksikasūtra, p. 8 and 23.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
