Essence of Jainism Part 02

Author(s): Kushalchandravijay
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

Page 13

stepping stones. To monkhood in ever rising order are as follows:
(1) Darshan Padimas : A true Jain should have complete and intelligent belief in Sudeva, Suguru and Sudharma (Right God, Right Preceptor and Right Dharma) which arises from scriptural knowledge and applications thereof. One should thus be possessed of Samayktva-Right faith and would abstain from six agaras (exceptions).One should practise the eight types of Darshanachar properly and faultlessly.
(2) Vrata Padima : One should take vratas (vows) of abstaining from violence. falsehood. accepting things not given to him, sexual intercourse and possession of things and would observe them without any blemish. One would hear religious discourses and would be full of compassion (for all creatures).
(3) Samayik Padimas : Indifference to affairs of the world (Udasinta), Neutrality in likes and dislikes (Madhyastha), freedom from passions (Samklesh Visuddhi), convenience (Anukulata) for meditation and to avoid company of others and reside alone (Asangpanu). These five qualities together constitute Samayik Padima, a balanced sta which one should observe for maximum duration possible.
(4) Paushadh Padima : While practising the above three padimas, a shravak should observe a paushadh on auspicious days, giving up atichars' - blemishes and be careful in diet.
(5) Pratima Padima : It is observing a kausagg renouncing attention to body and meditating at night while in Paushadha. One would not bathe during the days, even when one is not in Paushadh. One would eat only by day-time, would meditate on Jineshvar and observe this padima along with the above for five months.
(6) Abrahmavarjan Padima : (Celibacy) : One should observe chastity, not use beauty-aids (cosmetics) or adore his body and should not associate with a woman in solitude nor should he cultivate close contact with her in routine life. All these are observed for a period of six months.
(7) Sachitta Tyaga Padima : While observing carefully the above six Padimas, one is deligent and gives up the use of sachitta things (animate things). One observes all the seven Padimas for seven months :
(8) Arambhvarjan Padima : One gives up all activites for earning livelhood which always involve killing of living beings, but these are carried on indirectly through the servants. However one remains vigilent that maximum care is taken by them to protect the living beings. One