________________
40
The fruition of charity is different according to difference in:
1. Vidhi, manner of giving. 2. Dravya, thing given. 3. Datri, person who gives; and 4. Pátra, person to whom it is given. 5. The manner of giving is of the following 9 kinds :
1. Sangraha, Respectful reception of an ascetic. The usual formula is : “ Welcome! welcome! Food and drink are pure here."
2. Uchcha sthána, Seating him on an exalted seat. 3. Pad-odaka, Washing his feet. 4. Archana, Worshipping him.
5. Pranáma, Bowing to him. 6-8. Vák-káya-manah-shuddhi, Being pure in speech, body
and mind.
9. Eshaná shuddhi, Faultless way of giving food. The thing given must be helpful in study and austerities. The person who gives must have 7 qualities.
1. Aihika-phalánapeksha, Must not wish any gan in
this world in its exchange. 2. Kshánti, Must give calmly without anger, 3. Mudita, Must be happy at giving. 4. Nishkapațatá, without deceit. 5. Anasuyatva, without envy. 6. Avish aditva, without repentence; and
7. Nirahankár atya, without pride. The person to whom it is given must be one of the three kinds :
1. Uttama pátra, Ascetics; 2. Madhyama pátra, Laymen with vows; 3. Jaghanya pátra, Laymen with right belief, but not
with vows. These three with right belief are called Supátrá, good donees; and those who are with proper external conduct, but without real right belief are Kupátras, improper donees. Unworthy donees Apátras are those who have neither proper external conduct, nor real right belief. There is no merit in giving them anything.
There is also a Karuná-dána, or the gift of compassion to anyone Jaina or non-Jaina, human or Sub-human being, who is in need of it. This Charity is of 4 kinds :
1. Áhára, Food. 2. Aushadhi, Medicine,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org