Gaina sutras

Author(s): Hermann Jacobi
Publisher: Clarendon Perss

Page 23

INTRODUCTION.
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in allowing a Gaina to eat only such vegetables, fruits, &c. as have no trace of life left?.
21. 'Out of season he shall not dwell a second night in (the same) village.' We have seen above that Mahâvîra carried out this precept whatever may have been the practice of the monks in general.
22. 'He may either shave or wear a lock on the crown of the head.' The Gainas have improved on this rule as they make baldness binding for all monks. According to Baudhâyana” a Brâhman on becoming an ascetic had to cause 'the hair of his head, his beard, the hair on his body, and his nails to be cut.' The same practice, at least as regards the cutting of the hair, was observed by the Gainas on the same occasion. Hence the phrase: "becoming bald (or tearing out one's hair) to leave the house and enter the state of houselessness'
23. 'He shall avoid the destruction of seeds.' The reader will observe, in many passages of the second book of the Åkârânga Sûtra, how careful Gaina monks should be of avoiding to injure eggs, living beings, seeds, sprouts, &c. It seems therefore that the Gainas have only generalised the above rule in applying it to all small beings of the animal and vegetable world.
24. (He shall be) indifferent towards (all) creatures, whether they do him an injury or a kindness.'
25. 'He shall not undertake (anything for his temporal or spiritual welfare).'
The last two rules could just as well be taken from a sacred book of the Gainas, for they are in full accordance with the drift of their religion. Mahâvîra strictly carried them out. 'More than four months many sorts of living beings gathered on his body, crawled about it, and caused there pain4.' Always well guarded, he bore the pains (caused by) grass, cold, fire, flies, and gnats ; manifold pains 5.' 'He with equanimity bore, underwent, and suffered all pleasant
1 Â kârânga Sûtra II, 1, 7, 6, and 8th Lesson. 2 Baudhayana II, 10, 17, 10. 3 Mumde bhavittâ agârâo anagâriyam pavvaie. • Âkârânga Sûtra I, 8, 1, 2.
5 Åkârânga Sûtra I, 8, 3, 1,