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HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
155
The undergoing of 'parihāra' involved fasts of various magnitudes in different seasons for a total period of six months. The fasts were arranged as follows:
Fasting
Season
Minimum
Average
Maximum
Winter
fast upto the
10th
sixth meal
Summer
4th
6th
8th
Rainy Season
8th
12th
The pārihärika took 'ācāmla' (ayambila) at the breaking of the fast, while the guru did 'ācāmla' every day. Thus, when the first four monks completed this fasting for six months, the next four undertook it, and the first four waited on them. After six months, the last--who had acted as the guru-did so for six months, and all the rest waited upon him. Thus the whole group was purified in eighteen months. TOURING:
Bound by these rules, the monk led a touring life throughout the eight months of the year, i.e. except the rainy season. The reason behind this was the discipline of not getting attached to any particular place or family. Therefore, instead of staying at one place, he wandered from village to village (gāmāņugāmam dūíjjamāņe) 73 with a mission of preaching.
While touring, the monk was to be attentive and was not to talk much.74 No company either of a heretic or of a householder was to be sought.75 In order to avoid difficulties regarding requisites, the monk had to equip himself with all his requisites.76
73. Vivāga. p. 77; Acar. II, 3, 1, 6. 74. Ibid., I, 8, 1, 20 (p. 82). 75. Ibid., II, 1, 1, 9 (p. 90). 76. Ibid., II, 1, 3, 8 (p. 96).
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