ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 342

Those realized souls have attained perfection by destroying desire, conquering the passions and death with equanimity. It is true that the realized souls who have attained liberation do not answer to our prayers in the way in which God is supposed to answer, but our prayer to them purifies us.
The second duty is that of paying respect to the preceptor and the images of Ariha tas. In fact a monk pays respect to those who observes vows and not to those who are undisciplined even though they may occupy high position in the worldly sense of the term.
The third duty is to criticize one's moral transgression by confessing them before one's G r. One should not conceal anything from his Gr. He should be free from crookedness and observe balance of minds in all situations. Another essential quality is to avoid sinful activities in future. The monk should be sorry for whatever sinful activities may have been performed by him in the past.
Another duty is to feel detachment from the body.
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.
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:
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:
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;
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
If it is obtained by telling someone about his future, etc.
If it is obtained by describing one's high linkage or occupation
If it is obtained by flattering the giver
If it is obtained by giving medical advice or medicine
By showing anger
By showing pride
By deceit
By showing greed
Page 332 of 556
STUDY NOTES version 4.0