ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 181

SCHOOL
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Aphrodisiacology (Vajikarana and Kṣāra-tantra). We do find traces about instructions concerning keeping physically fit in all Jain sacred texts based on observing strict control on food and water taken. Literature on health and curing diseases did not become popular in earlier days due to emphasis on spiritual development primarily and not about keeping the body fit. However, from 2nd century AD onwards, Jain monks/ascetics considered it essential for their followers to know about ways and means of keeping themselves physically fit so that they can perform their spiritual purification and religious duties properly. Thus a number of preceptors later on expanded the commentary of the original Jain canons and texts to include discussions on illnesses and their treatment. Essentially, the spiritual object is served only through physical objects. An Ayurvedic treatise maintains, "The body is the first means to follow religion". So we see preceptors like Nagarjuna, Samantabhadra, Pujyapada (Samadhi Tantra and Iṣṭopadeśa) in 2nd to 5th centuries AD writing texts exclusively on sickness, causes and treatments. It is also worth mentioning here that the traditional 72 learning for men and 64 skills for women include many medical skills and practices. The basic importance of the skills can also be inferred from the fact that the religious principles of trio-of jewels Samyag-darśana (Right Belief), Samyag-jñāna (Right knowledge) and Samyag-caritra (Right Conduct) of the Jains have been also associated with pacification or purification of three bodily defects- right-faith pacifying the bile defects, right knowledge pacifying the air (rhenum) defect, and right conduct pacifying phelgmic defects." Ugrādityācārya in 9th century AD wrote detailed texts called Kalyāṇakāraka which is claimed to be derived from Präṇāvāya. Today we learn of the 64 extraordinary powers (rddhis) which result by performing religious activities.
During the period of popularity of devotion (Bhaktivāda), Jain preceptors like Manatunga (Bhaktamara stotra), Kumudacandra (Kalyāṇamandira-stotra), Vädirāja (Ekibhāva-stotra) and many more wrote hymns seeking relief from worldly pains and curing different ailments of the body. These all became very popular (and are so to date). Later on more than 1000 texts on health, sickness, curing etc have been written by Jain ascetics and scholars who are quoted frequently. Jinabhadra (6th Century AD), Rāmasena (11th century AD in
6 Atthavidhe äuvvede pannatte, tam jahā- kaumārabhicce, kāyatigicchā, salai, sallahattä, jangoli, bhutavijjā, kharatante, rasayane (Sthānanga - Ed. Madhukar Muni, APS Beawar, 1981, Ayurveda Sutra, 26 p. 636). 1 Śarīramadya khalu dharma sadhanam- Astängahrdayam
8 Sthānāńga, Edited by Acarya Mahāprajňa, p. 855
9 Avacetana Mana Se Samparka by Acharya Mahaprajna, JVB, Ladnun, 1984, p.83
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