ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

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

Page 345

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verse 90 there is no much difference. These Sikṣāvratas are to practice the ascetic life. The Acāryas show their progressive trends in fixing them depending on the various regions, their needs, and times. Dana or gift is one of them. It has played the significant role all along the course of the history of Jainism Somadevasuri in his Yasastilakacampū 15 considered at length regarding patra (the recipient), Datra (the giver), Dātavya (the thing to given, Dānavidhāna (the method of giving), and Danaphala (the fruit of giving). All the Jain thinkers are of view that what is given should be for the pleasure of giving or for the spiritual rise and self-restraint of ascetics. The householders may also be considered for charity purpose on their genuine needs.
iii). The third category is of the Sadhaka śrāvaka
The Sadhaka śrāvaka is expected to observe the Sallekhana, the spiritual death in Jain tradition. This third stage is very close to that of an ascetic where the subjugation of the senses is conducive to the removal of passions.16 Who observes the Sallekhana is called mahāśrāvaka. He is defined as making the physical body and the internal passions emaciated by abandoning their sources gradually at the approach of death with pleasure and not by force for various reasons one decides to perform Sallekhana. According to the Ratnakaranda Śravakācāra and Bhagavati Aradhana, the old age, physical weakness, famine, incurable disease, calamities etc, are such reasons, which render the performance of Avasyakas impossible. It is also called Samadhimarana. Samantabhadra has dealt with the concept in fifth chapter in15 verses.
This is an important and interesting feature of the Jain householder and spiritual aspirants. Some scholars are of opinion that Sallekhanā is a sort of suicide, since there is voluntary severance of life etc, but this is not correct, as there is no passion. The person who kills himself by means of passion, weapon etc. swayed by attachment, aversion or infatuation etc. commits suicide. But he who practices holy death is free from desire, anger, and delusion. Hence, it is not suicide.. In modern days it is named "Euthanasia" or "Right to die" which is a sort of suicide and not the spiritual death.
15 Yasastilakacampú 43.765-852
16 Ratnakaranda Śrävakācāra, Verse 122
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0