Idea of Ahimsa and Asceticism in Ancient Indian Tradition

Author(s): Bansidhar Bhatt
Publisher: B J Institute

Page 78

THE VEGETARIANISM
69
imam 'pi jati-dhammayam ... vuddhi-dhammayam cittamantayam ... chiņnam milati ... a haragam ... ... (A yara-JA gS. 1.1.5.45, p.11) (also: Schmithausen-2. p.6; for details:Bhatt-2. pp.136,140)
Dasaveyaliya adds to a list of four elements (earth, water, fire, air) trees and seeds among animals (ta sa ) having souls (DasaS. p.166). Jaina monks and nuns do not wander from place to place, but live at one place for four months during rainy season (va sa-vasa, rain-retreat), in order to avoid injury to the green grass, lawns, etc. grown on the ground, they should not be trampled under foot (cf. Doctrine. S 146). Similarly the Buddhist monks and nuns too, stay at one place during the rainy season, because of the same reason as stated above for Jaina monks and nuns. But, Buddhim is not much particular and so strict about this rule, as Jainism. It is considered as an unintentional offence in Buddhism, if green grass is crushed by chance in walking on it, or any insect is killed under foot (cf. Schmithausen-1. pp.24-26; also: Wezler-3. p.462).
Jaina monks and nuns are instructed, moreover, to remain ever elert in going for a natural call, so that plants or seeds, or any small tiny insects are not hurt (cf. circumspection, etc.: Bruhn.p.38, lines 26-30), e.g.
uccaram pasavanam khelam singhaņa jalliyam /. (Dasa-S. 8.18 = Uttra. 24.15)
They should not eat fruits unless they are "killed", that means, fruits should be enough ripe and have no seeds, since seeds are capable of germination, e.g.
kande male ya sacitte ... / (Dasa-S. 3.7)
Raw seeds are sentient, not to be eaten by monks and nuns. They can accept fruits when they are cut in slices, or juice is extracted from them. Salad, seeds, fruits, etc. in their natural state are sentient. Also in Buddhism, fruits and vegetables should be first rendered “pure", that means, “killed" by some la y persons before they are accepted by monks or nuns (Schmithausen-1. p.31). Both, Jaina and Buddhist monks or nuns do not dig or scratch the ground, since it possesses soul (DasaS. 5.1.68 and 10.2; also: Vinaya 4.33). Jaina monks and nuns have to deposite the left over food or excrement, etc. in a (dead) barren or burnt ground (cf. Dasa-S. 8.18 and 5.1.84-85 see