Glimpses Of World Religions

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Navbharat Sahitya Mandir

Page 64

Jainism
49
The centres propagating the ideas of Akarm sciences of Dada Bhagwan, are there at Surat, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and at some places in foreign countries. The Rules of Conduct for Shrawakas and Twelve (12) Vratas of Shrawakas
God Tirthankar founded four teerthas (holy accesses) viz. Sadhu, Lady Saints or Sadhvis, Shrawakas and Shrawikas. The final aim of Sadhu-Dharma and Shrawak-Dharma is, of course, only Moksha or liberation of the soul. Of these, Sadhu-Dharma is short but very hard, whereas the duties or Dharma of Shrawakas can be called easy but long, long way. The Gandhar great souls (Bhagwantas) made Sutra-principles and the Acharya Bhagwantas directed the codes of conduct. Thus the rules of conduct for the Shrawakas or ‘Sharawakachar' means the codes of conduct to be observed by the Shrawakas.
The main constituents of Shrawakachar are 11 Padiya, obserivng 12 ‘Vratas', 22 non-eatables, 32 Anantkaya (tuberous roots or kandmool) complete renunciation of dinner at night, renunciation or leaving seven addictions, adoption or inculcation of 21 virtues of Shrawakas and 35 virtues of Marganusaris or 'followers in life and undertaking of 14 rules, moreover, Shrawakas keep themselves afar from the habits of those ‘Karmadāns' 15 in number which are likely to have the beginning and ends and imply violence, or killing. The following are the 12 vratas (5 Anuvrat, 3 Gunavratas and 4 Shikshavratas) :
1. Forsaking of violence 2. The sacrificing of Mrushavad (not to tell a lie) 3. Not doing big thefts. 4. Renunciation of non-celibacy or unrestricted sex
(vow to observe the celibacy or Brahmacharya)