________________
meet the complexities of the situation.26 For example Jainism disallows the purchase of things at low price in order to maintain the vow of non-stealing.27 According to moral rules exceptions cannot be allowed. This implies that Jain ethics does not allow superstitious rule-worship but at the same time, prescribes that utmost caution is to be taken in breaking the rule.
The entire code of conduct in Jainism is derived from the doctrine of Ahimsa
The practitioners or Jains are accordingly divided in two categories, namely:
1. Those wish to practice complete Ahimsa all the time. Such
practitioners are called sadhus / sadhvis / munis/ Shramans / recluse / ascetics / monks. The conduct of a monk consists of 27/28 basic virtues, five major vows, five attitudes of carefulness, three Guptis / attitudes of restraint, enduring twenty two types of physical afflictions and contemplation on ten spiritual virtuesa. Those who wish to practice Ahimsa partially due to their occupation and life style i.e. householder but they also try to minimize Himsa in all their activities and progress towards the ultimate objective. Such persons are called householder / Shravak / votary. They classified in three stages as follows:
Beginners: Practices eight basic virtues i.e. consumption of non violent food primarily (like abstinence from consumption of meat, and foods infested heavily with bacteria), seven abstinences (vices namely sexual intercourse with other than one's own wife, gambling, drinking liquor, hunting, harshness in speech, harsh punishments and misappropriation of other's property), use strained water for drinking and cooking and avoids eating after sunset.
Intermediate: Observe six daily essential duties, namely: worshipping the true deity, paying obeisance to holy teachers, studying the scriptures, self-control/restraint, penance and charity. 29 These are derived from the six essential duties for
Gandhi & Jainism
Pg. 237
