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HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
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The rules regarding life in the rainy season are to be found in the Daśäśrutaskandha180 and the Kalpasūtra (of Bhadrabāhū). When did it Begin?
Mahāvīra began this practice of rain-retreat when "a month and twenty nights of the rainy season had elapsed."181 This became a rule with the followers of Mahāvīra and they seem to have kept up the practice. It may, however, be noted that the Niśitha182 forbids a monk from touring even in the first showers (padhamapāüsammi). He was allowed to begin this stay at one place during the rains, earlier than this period of one month and twenty nights after the rains set in, but under no circumstances was the monk permitted to begin it later than that.183 Wandering in the Rainy Season:
Movement was allowed only on the grounds of inner spiritual necessity, or in cases of bringing medicine, etc. to the ill. But in that case also, the monks were not to go beyond four or five yojanas.184 Seeking Residence:
In all, three residences were allowed to monks and nuns, out of which two were to be used only on occasions and the third was to be used regularly. The monks had to go to the other two alternate lodgings in order to verify whether somebody else had occupied them.185
The Niryuktis186 give ample details about the mode of searching out a residence and obtaining it for use in the rainy season.
In searching out a lodge, the monks took into consideration the facilities which a place offered to them. The help of a physician, the easy procuring of medicine and other articles required for the ill, etc. stood foremost in the list.187
The ācārya consulted all his disciples regarding the place of stay. Then an advance party was sent to verify the facilities or otherwise of that particular place, in order to avoid inconvenience regarding study, alms or easing nature. 188 For this purpose the party consisted of three, five or seven persons
180. 8th Daśā. 181. Kalpa. Sāmācāri 1, p. 296. 182. 10, 40-43; also Than. 183. Kalpa. Samā. 8, p. 297. 184. Ibid., 62, p. 310; half yojana or 144 yojana; Daśā. N. 74. 185. Kalpa-Sāmā, 60 pp. 309-10. 186. Daśā-N. vs. 60-86; Ogha-N. 128. 187. Dasa-N. 67. 188. Ogha-N. 128-130; Daśā-N. 68.
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