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vows.
THE JAINA LAYMAN AND allow himself to use, &c. These limits he writes down in his note-book, and at the great yearly confession, Samvatsari, he goes to any guru who happens to be present, confesses any infraction of the vows and accepts the penance given. Besides this, every day of the year when he performs Padika. manum he privately confesses his transgressions against the vows. Every day also both morning and evening the layman repeats the vows. The period for which they are taken varies : some Jaina promise to observe them as long as they live, others fix a certain period, consisting very frequently of two years, and at the expiry of that time take
them afresh if they feel inclined. The ad The Jaina believe that great advantages flow from keep
nhage ing the vows : physically, since the moderation they enjoin of the
keeps the body in training and health; and morally, because they free the soul from love or enmity, and ultimately lead it to mokşa. A layman who keeps all these twelve vows is called a Deśavrati, or one who keeps the vows in part; a sādhu, who as we shall see keeps them in a more stringent
form, is called a Sarvavratī, one who keeps all the vows. Santhāro. When a layman realizes that he is growing old and that
his body is becoming very frail, he spends more and more time in the Apăsaro and tries to use fewer and fewer things, and daily after Padikamanum repeats the old-age vow or Santhäro Pāțha, which contains the promise of dying by voluntary starvation. He does not vow not to take food, however, until he feels that death is approaching.
Before repeating the words, he should seat himself crosslegged on a stool of darbha grass, with his face turned to the north-east, and folding his hands he should encircle his face with them (āvartana) and say as follows: 'I bow to all the adorable Arihanta who have attained to the highest state.' He then repeats all the twelve vows, and determining to keep himself free from all sin, particularly hiṁsā (against which he takes a special vow), he promises never to lie, thieve, &c., as long as he lives.
