Jain Digest 2003 09 Vol 22 No 3

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 18

CHÄRITRÄCHÄR The Code of Conduct
Manubhai Doshi, Chicago, Il
पणिहाण जोगज़नो. पचहि समिहि तीहि गुनाहि।
to be undertaken with extreme care and vigilance so as to avoid all ओस चरिनायोर, अविहा होई नायथ्यो।। ४
possible violence. For such purposes, Jainism lays down the
observance of the following five meticulosities that are known as Panihäna-Jogjutto Panchahim Samiehim Tihim Guttihim Panch Samities. Esa Charttäyaro Atthaviho Hoi Näyavvo
1) Iryä Samiti: This meticulosity pertains to making - Panchächär Sutra
movements. Whenever one has to make movements, he should (Observance of five Samities and three Gupties with balanced mind
remember that there happen to be living beings everywhere. He
has therefore to remain vigilant enough to see that he does not is considered the eight-fold code of conduct.)
press, crush, trample or otherwise hurt any living being by making We have so far examined Jnänächär, the code of knowledge
movements. Since some minute violence is however bound to occur and Darshanächär, the code of perception, faith and conviction.
in spite of all precautions, it is laid down that after every movement, After gaining conviction, one has to put it into practice. That
one should undertake a short Kausagga for atonement of violence practicing is known as Chariträchär. In Jain tradition Chäritra
inadvertently caused by such movements. normally denotes renouncement and its scope is usually restricted
2) Bhäshä Samiti: This meticulosity pertains to vocal or oral to the monastic code of conduct. The term, however really means right behavior or right conduct. As such, it deals with the day to
activities. The minute living beings, that pervade every place, can day activities of the monastic as well as the worldly life. We would
get hurt even by exercising vocal faculty. This Samiti therefore lays first consider here the monastic code and then the lay code.
down that every spiritual aspirant should speak or utter slowly
and that too, when necessary. Harsh utterance that can cause mental Monks and nuns are supposed to devote their entire life in hurt has to be avoided altogether. Moreover, the utterance has to spiritual pursuit. Since they have renounced the worldly life, they be truthful as well as beneficial. Otherwise, one should observe are not supposed to get involved in any worldly activity. They have
silence. to spend their entire time and energy for gaining salvation and are not expected to use their mental, vocal or physical energy for any
3) Eshana Samiti: This meticulosity pertains to obtaining
articles which are essential for survival. The aspirant has to get other purpose. Such exercising the energy solely for that purpose is known as Gupti which can be translated as total control of one's
such articles by going for alms. He should however be careful and faculties. The control over mental energy is known as Manogupti,
vigilant even while accepting such articles. The offer for alms should that over vocal energy is known as Vachan Gupti and the one over
be willing and should not involve any type of force or compulsion physical energy is known as Käygupti. Such control must be
on the part of the giver. The articles being offered should have associated with proper discretion. Lord Umaswati has stated in
been made out of the vegetable or other acceptable ingredients Tattvärthasutra: Samyagyoganigraho Gupti. It means that the right
that involve minimal violence. They should have been procured exercise of control is Gupti. One should therefore exercise
by innocent means and should not have involved gross physical appropriate discretion in controlling his mental, vocal as well as vol physical faculties. These three Gupties are known as Tigutti or 4) Ädän Nikshep Samiti: This meticulosity pertains to taking Trigupti.
or placing any thing. Reckless drawing, pulling, pushing, lifting, It is however hard to stay totally tuned to the spiritual aspects
laying or otherwise handling can hurt living beings. If one is not all the time. As long as the body stays, there are bound to be its
careful, such activities can thus result in avoidable violence. Utmost demands for food, shelter etc. Such demands cannot be avoided
care and vigilance should therefore be exercised while undertaking
such activities. One often comes across the use of the term 'Upayog' and appropriate activities have to be undertaken for satisfying the same. For spiritual aspirants, however, Jainism restricts such
during Jain rituals and performances. Staying vigilant and taking activities to obtaining the necessities of life by going for alms and
care for the safety of other living beings, while undertaking any taking temporary shelter, when necessary, at Upäshray or such other
activity, is called Upayog.
act lonely places. Jainism lays maximum stress on the observance of 5) Utsarga or Parishthäpanikä Samiti: This meticulosity nonviolence. Therefore, even the badly needed activities like pertains to disposal of wastes inclusive of excretion and urination, accepting food, communicating, taking anything or putting it at Jainism does not permit reckless modes even in the case of disposal. any place and those pertaining to excretion and other disposal have It is therefore laid down that excretion etc. should be carried out
16/JAIN DIGEST-Fall 2003 Jain Education Intemational