________________
324
S. B. DEO
Celibacy:
The mind so trained, seldom gave a chance to the revolts of the flesh. However, great care was taken to avoid occasions that were likely to flare up the passions. Not only actual masturbation or intercourse but any other attempts to that effect were deemed transgressions of celibacy.593 For, it was said that a monk averse to passions quickly attained liberation 594 Hence all efforts, direct or indirect, to seduce a woman were liable for punishment. 595
If with all these precautions, perchance a woman caught hold of a monk while he was on the begging round, then he tried to dissuade her by telling religious instructions, and the unwholesome effect of sexual passions. If, inspite of this, she persisted, then he escaped from her by telling that he would return after some time on giving up the vows. If, even after this, she persisted, then he threatened her that he would hang himself. Under extreme circumstances, he was asked to hang himself rather than succumb to her desires. 596 Sthūlabhadra who performed the miracle of staying with a courtesan for four months with unbroken chastity stands as an embodiment of unflinching self-control.597 Bodily Decoration:
Bodily decorations being one of the ways of showing bodily beauty to attract women, monks were strictly forbidden to use complete, new and dyed clothes,598 garlands of any kind, ornaments, excellent blankets, skins, or embroidered garments.599 They were disallowed to see their own reflection either in a mirror, or in oil; to wipe, massage or apply oil to or spray powder, etc. over their limbs; to clean the wounds, fashion the nails or moustache or eyelashes;600 to wash the limbs with hot or cold water; to clean teeth or take bath;601 to take purgatives or medicine for vomiting, and eat all sorts of medicines,602 Tonsure :
Besides these, the more effective way of controlling the mind and undoing the beauty, as we have already seen in the Angas, was the method of
593. Vav. 6, 8-9; Dasa. 2nd Daśā; Brh. kalp. 5, 1-4; Nis. 1, 1-9; 6, 19-77; 7, 79-91. 594. Acār-N. 177. 595. See Appendix 1. 596. Ogha-N. 421, 597. Uttar-N. 100-104. 598. Nis. 6, 19-23: It may be noted that these rules are in the Acar, and Dśv. also. 599. Nis. 7, 1-12; 17, 3-14. 600. Ibid., 3, 16-67; 13, 38-41. 601. Ibid., 2, 21; 15, 100-152. 602. Ibid., 4, 19.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
