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918131316INTRODUCTION TO JAINISMO SISSA have been instructed not to visit places occupied by sadhvies. During chaturmas stay, monks should be in group of at least two, and sadhvis should be in group of minimum three. Not to stay chaturmas in private places, other than Upashrayas & Sthanakas. Even during remaining eight months of the year (Sheshkaal), staying at householders flats/rooms should be avoided to the extent possible.
"GAUCHARI" (The practice, rules, procedure to be observed while offering pure, fresh, insentient food to monks.)
The faultless insentient food & water collected in specified form (alm-bhiksha) by Jain monks is called "Gauchari". Just as cow picks up upper level, of grass, in a small quantity, from the land meant for the purpose, i.e."GOUCHAR", without causing harm to the root, in the same manner, Jain Monks collect from every household, a very small quantity of food , water,medicine etc. taking into consideration, the economic & allied condition of the householder offering food, time of collection, etc exercising their sense of proportion (VIVEK). Jain saints undertake avowed fast etc, if they do not get insentient gauchari, as per rules and guidelines provided. Jain History contains noting of many instances, where the during unavailability of faultless food, water etc. Jain monks had undertaken fast for number of days, months and even years together.
The offering of permissible Food-Water to monks (male-female) with full heartfelt pleasure amounts to "Supatra Daan" (Donor is rewarded and benefited in a way that cannot be measured or evaluated in any manner.)
To aquire this sort of reward it is imperative to know the procedure of offering faultless alms of food, water as under :
While offering food-water to monks (Male-female) the following two faults are to be avoided : 'Adhakarmi' i.e. cooked/prepared exclusively or specifically for them and 'Kritkrat' i.e. purchased for them. The offering should be, Out of the food-water prepared in usual course, for the family members of the householder and it should be preceded with pious feeling to offer and then offered accordingly when opportunity arises. When monk enter the house he/she/they should be welcomed with full respect by stepping forward towards them and honoured with words "Padharo Maharajsaheb / Mahasatiji". Specific care should be taken as to not to touch or change places of "live items"
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ASIA INTRODUCTION TO JAINISMOSISISISISK like "raw salt", "water", "fire", "vegetable/vegetations" etc. The chapattis taken out from gas/fireplace should not be mixed with earlier ones but kept aside. Non acceptable items are not to be mixed with acceptable items or person/s holding them should not touch each other, especially, person offering. Keep distance from them. While offering, the person concerned should not touch raw salt, whole mustard, Methi (fenu greek), whole (cumin) dhana, whole jeera (coriander) or chillies with seeds etc or spices or raw water, fire, vegetations, not to blow wind from mouth, not to switch on or off lights, candle lights etc., not to takeout items raw, single or mixed, from Refrigerator, hanging bowls or raw shelf or moving swings, touch live-non living or mixed items, not to speak with open mouth, take care not to drop oil or ghee drops or contents to floor, while taking out, placing vessel, it should not sound loud or there should be proper & minute care while handling the process. Sour fruits (Kokam), leaves of neem, mangohardseeds hard seeds, seeds of fruits, green stems, green skins vegetables etc. should not fall along with curry-dal etc. when poured into container of Monks, while offering them food. The persons offering food, should not touch those ineligible, items. Whole fruit except Banana, Charoli, Cardomoms, Peeper, Jaifal, raw (supari), betel nut, rounds of pabadi, pieces of pomegranate, ice cubes etc. are live and hence should not be touched. Offering should be made keeping consciously away from living items but with enthuthiasm with full inner feelings/spirit of joy of having got chance to offer food to monks. Pregnant woman who has entered seventh month, cannot offer items, by sitting, getting up or nurnisg mother cannot leave child crying, for the purpose of serving monks with food. Similarly handicapped or crippled person can not offer by moving from their place. However they can take chance to offer food in "status quo". position of sitting where they are. The food items meant for offering to God-goddesses (DEITIES) or pregnant & or woman undergoing post partam condition or child or hawkers or domestic assistance or beggars dogs etc and kept aside for that purpose cannot be offered to monks unless their needs are met.
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