Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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INTERNATION
SCHOOL
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
स्वाध्याय तपः •
OF
4.4 Rules for Begging Food
The Jain scriptures understand that the food is the most fundamental necessity of human life. Even this necessity is to be reduced to the minimum. As he has to go for begging, he should put the householder to the least possible difficulty. Food is to be taken for maintenance of body and not for the taste of the tongue. In fact, the earlier scriptures are full of prescriptions regarding food. The faults, which may occur in procuring food, are classified into four categories.
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NN STUDIES
4.4.1 The First Category of Faults
The mistakes on the part of the giver are sixteen in number. The monk should not accept food:
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If it is specially prepared for him;
• If some additional food or new item has been cooked on seeing him;
If he uses sterilizes food and it has been mixed with unsterilized food or water;
If he is asked to take the food together with layman;
If the food is offered to him after being removed from the place of its preparation;
If the food is remnant of offerings;
If the food is offered at wrong time;
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⚫ If pots containing food are removed from one place to another at the sight of himself, if
pots are washed before him or a lamp is lit;
If the food has been purchased for him;
If the food has been borrowed for him;
If the food has been obtained in exchange for some other article;
If the food has been brought from another's house;
⚫ If the food has been kept uncovered;
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If the food is offered at a place where he can reach only by mounting a ladder;
⚫ If the food is offered out of fear;
If someone has objected to the offering of food;
4.4.2 The Second Category of Faults
The following sixteen faults pertain to the receiver and should be avoided by the monk. The food becomes condemnable:
If it is achieved by teaching the giver the way of looking after the children
If it is obtained by delivering some message
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
