ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 461

8. Compassion towards all living beings.
2.2.2 The Five Vows The following five vows called vratas are to be followed by all. For laity, these are called A uvratas (small vows) and asking the practitioner to minimize the five ills i.e. violence, stealing, telling lies, owning possessions and adultery in relations; while for the monks the same are called Mah vratas (major vows) and are to be practiced completely by them all the time.
1. Non-Violence 2. Non-Stealing 3. Truthfulness 4. Non-Possession 5. Celibacy (No Adultery)
Since all ethical postulates of Jainas are derived from non-violence (Ahi s ), we give below the four sub divisions of violence, which householder should try to minimize. These are:
Intentional Related to daily life (like food to sustained life) Business related. Relating to protection of nation, society and family
2.2.3 Vows supporting the miner Vows (Gu avrata) for Householders
1. Limiting travel 2. Avoiding purpose less on unnecessary activities. 3. Avoiding businesses involving violence. 4. Avoid donating articles relating to violence 5. Avoid involvement with others for gain or loss 6. Avoid unnecessarily cutting trees, start fire, waste water or electricity or pollute the
atmosphere 7. Avoid watching or reading or hearing mind polluting sexual or criminal
stories/episodes. 8. Limiting use and possession of things of one time use or multiple uses.
2.2.4 Vows that Stimulate Householders towards Monkhood ( ik - vrata)
1. Finer level of limitation of travel. 2. Reading scriptures, leading to meditation, relating to spiritual purification 3. Giving up partially or completely (i.e. fasting) food on 8th and 14th day every
fortnight. 4. Offering charity and food to others
2.2.5. Ten Types of Ethical-Spiritual and Moral Values (dharma)
1. Forgiveness 2. Politeness 3. Straight forwardness 4. Inner and outer cleanliness 5. Truthfulness 6. Self restrain 7. Penance 8. Renunciation 9. Limiting desires 10. Limiting pleasure of senses
All living beings are interdependent (Parasaparograha-jvn ma) from one-sensed bacteria to fully developed five-sensed human life with analytical and reasoning ability. This elicits feelings of
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0