ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 342

INTERNATION
SCHOOL
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
OF
CI
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY
Farenga
परम
तप
I) Paksika śravaka
The observance of Pākṣika śrāvaka is in fact a Jain way of life. Accordingly, Pākṣika śrāvaka is he who has an inclination (Pākṣa) towards Ahimsa. This is the first spiritual status of the Jain laity in which he first takes the vow with right faith not to eat meat, not to drink alcohol or wine and not to relish honey or any of the five kinds of figs containing multiple souls. These are called basic virtues. Then he desists from injury, falsehood, stealing, unchastely, and attachment to wealth. The Pākṣika śrāvaka also takes the vow not to indulge in seven types of obnoxious habits (Vyasanas) or habits resulting in sins, which make the life disastrous. They are gambling and betting, meat-eating, alcoholic drink, prostitution, hunting, stealing, and sexual intercourse with another's wife or husband. These are the addictions, which make a hell of an addict's life. Addiction is the deep muddy pit. They create social disturbances, fear and destruction. Religion diverts their destructive power to the constructive side. The ordinary Jain layman should also not indulge in violence-based professions. Pt. Asadhara enumerated fifteen types of such professions in the Sāgāradharmāmrita (v.21-23): 1) livelihood from charcoal, 2) livelihood from destroying plants, 3) livelihood from carts, 4) livelihood from transport fees, 5) livelihood from hewing and digging, 6) trade in animal by-products, 7) trade in lac and similar substances, 8) trade in alcohol and forbidden foodstuffs, 9) trade in men and land animals, 10) trade in destructive/poisonous articles, 11) work involving milling, 12)work involving mutilation, 13) work involving the use of fire, 14) work involving the use of water, and 15) work involving breeding and rearing.
The legitimate earning sources according to Jinasena are agriculture (Krşi), study, teaching and clerical occupation (Masi), art or craft profession (Silpa), trade (Vānijya), military occupation (Asi), practice of medicine (Vidya). However the pursuit of the profession should be positively in the pure way. These observations create communal harmony and peace in society and in the nation.
Vegetarian diet and Human Rites
I could not find any impressive reference where the advocacy for vegetarian diet has been made. Jainism did it by including into fundamental duties of the layman. It stressed more and more on vegetarian diet since inception. According to it, the object of man's food is not just to fill his stomach, to maintain health or to satisfy his taste but to properly develop his mind, character and spirituality too. Our intake of food is closely related with our thinking,
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