Interpretation Of Jain Ethics

Author(s): Charlotte Krause
Publisher: Yashovijay Jain Granthmala

Page 27

opposite sex would be counted as a kind of trespass. The present Jain Sadhus take this vow, therefore, so strictly as to anxiously avoid even the indirect contact with a woman, such as by a carpet, or by a piece of furniture, or by a book etc., always keeping in mind that certain substances, such as wood, paper, metals, cloth etc. are considered as better conductors than others, such as stone, or earth. Amongst all the ascetic rules, the Fourth Vow is said to be the one which allows no exceptions at all.
By the Fifth Vow, the ascetic promises to give up even the slightest form of attachment to whatever it may be, whether lifeless things or persons. Practically, this vow demands not only the giving up of all property, but also that of all family ties, i.e. the adopting of the life of a mendicant. It is well-known in which strict way the present Jain Sadhus keep this vow, the Digambar monks, who roam about, always alone, without clothes, without even vessels to cat from, and the Svetambar Sadhus with their scanty clothes and equipment, who will not accept but what they can use at a time, the acceptance of money being, of course, strictly forbidden.
After having reached a certain standard of firmness in the keeping of Sarva-Virati, and of religious learning too, a monk can climb up to the next step of discipline, the Parihara-Visuddhi Charitra, which can be reached by under going certain practices requiring a high degree of self-control and firmness. It is prescribed that always groups of nine monks should devote cighteen months to these practices, changing places with one another in the alternate performing of austerities, and service, in obedience to a self-elected Guru. During these cighteen months, the discipline to be observed