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JERE-NOW4U :Bruhn : The Fundamentals of Jaina Ethics - Avashyak http://www.here-now4u.de/eng/spr/religion/Bruhn/Avashyaka6.html
surrounding him everywhere. In theory at least, every moment and every movement was fraught with the risk of himsa. There was no end to the technicalities which made the life of the monk complicated and almost intolerable. It is unnecessary to add that the protection did not affect any appreciable part of nature but only the immediate surroundings of solitary human beings. Man was not responsible for the "rest" of the universe.
The Vow
No. (ii)
The Transgressions
• The Jaina layman renounces all
"gross" false speech.
• false accusation made under the
influence of temper false accusation of a person behind her/his back • betrayal of the confidences of one's
wife • wrong information / wrong advice • wrong statements in documents/
falsification of documents.
The list of misdeeds already implies that the matter at hand is the issue of untruth in its broadest sense. It follows from the pentad and from other Jaina sources that human communication in general is put to the test. We encounter a general philosophy of verbal intercourse which is applicable to monks and laymen alike. Amongst other things, it is important in this context to avoid invidious, insidious, and malicious speech. Just like the ahimsa, this communication philosophy is closely linked to ideas of the day outside of the domain of Jainism (in particular the ancient Indian concept of "truth" with its numerous facets).
The Vow
The Transgressions
No. (iii)
• The Jaina layman renounces all
"gross" taking of things not given.
• usurpation of stolen property • employment of thieves • trespassing into a hostile country
(smuggling?) • using false weights and measures . dealing with adulterate wares.
The Vow
No. (iv)
The Transgressions
The Jaina layman renounces contact with other women and is content with his own wife.
• visiting a...(?) woman • visiting a...(?) woman • amorous dalliance (with other
women) • match-making outside one's family . excessive desire for sensual
gratification.
The first two headings refer in obscure terms to women in two different social categories (prostitutes and respectable women?).
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