Book Title: History of Jaina Monachism
Author(s): S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute

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Page 499
________________ 494 S. B. DEO the salute by the nun to the monk, and if a person made it known to the whole town, then the nun had to undergo the punishment of 'cheda' (i.e., cutting of the standing in nunhood).202 Normally the nuns and the monks were not to stay together. Not only that but they were not allowed to live at places whose doors were facing each other, or whose back-doors led to each other's residences. So also they were not to stay in places which were on different levels which made it easy for them to look at one another.203 But in cases of extreme calamity and the absence of a proper residence, they could stay in one lodge 204 In the rains, it was not allowed that a monk and a nun should stand together. But if the place was visible to the public or was with open doors, then only that was allowed.205 During the eight months of touring also, the monks and nuns had to take precautions against the public opinion. They were not allowed to tour together, but in cases of danger, as for instance, the trouble from robbers or young people, it was the duty of the monks to protect the nuns, and in extreme cases even to punish such persons themselves,206 If on the begging tour the monks and nuns happened to come together, then they were not to salute or show respect to or speak with or look at each other.207 Normally no exchange of food was allowed between them,208 but a raped nun, who had to stay indoors, was entitled to get food from monks and nuns who begged for her.209 Public scandal was greatly feared, and while on the alms-tour in a town with one gate only, monks and nuns entering a deserted place or a temple one after the other had to undergo punishments which increased according to the number of witnesses in the matter and the extent of the spread of the scandal in the public.210 Exchange of speech between a monk and a nun was allowed only on restricted occasions. He could ask her the proper road if he did not know it, or he could tell her the proper road; he could talk with her when giving the fourfold food, as also when causing somebody to give her food.211 Normally, 202. Brhat, kalp. bha. Vol. III, 2174-75. 203. Ibid., 2235-63. 204. Thăn. p. 314a. 205. Kalpasūtra, SBE, XXII, p. 303. 206. Brh, kalp. bhä, Vol. IV, 4133. 207. Ibid., Vol. III, 2216. 208. Gacchācāra, 61, 96. 209. Brh. kalp. bha. Vol. IV, 4135. 210. Ibid., Vol. III, 2181-93. 211. Thān. p. 216b. It should be noted that the Gacchăcăra (v. 61) forbids a monk to accept food from a nun "even at the cost of his life or in days of famine", Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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