Jain Journal 1972 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 30

APRIL, 1972
167
predicated, it must be done in such a way as not to nullify the possibility of affirming a contrary attribute. If the imperishability of a thing is to be predicated, it must be formulated in such a way that it does not do away with the possibility of predicating the contrary attributes or perishability or transcience. It is for this reason that the word syāt (somehow or may be) has to be used in the predication of every object. For example, “may be the pot is imperishable”--this undogmatic predication leaves room for a contrary predication of the perishability of the pot.
The septuple formation is as follows :
(1) syāt asti (may be it is)
2) syāt nāsti (may be it is not) (3) syāt asti nāsti (may be it is and is not) (4) syāt avaktavya (may be it is unpredictable) (5) syāt asti avaktavya (may be it is and is unpredictable) (6) syāt nāsti avaktavya (may be it is not and is unpredictable) . (7) syāt asti nästi avaktavya (may be it is, is not, and is unpredictable)
This is saptabhangi.
ETHICS
Sādhus (Monks) and sādhvīs (Nuns) :
It has been said that, while preaching Jainism, the Tirthankaras founded a four-fold community of monks (sādhus), nuns (sādhvīs), lay brothers (frāvakas) and lay sisters (frāvikās). In this fourfold community the sādhus or monks are the highest in rank. Those who renounce the world and lead the life of contemplative mendicancy are called sādhus, and such females are sādhvīs. The sādhus and sādhvīs or monks and nuns observe fully, in thought, word and deed, and all through their lives, the five major vows or mahāvratas : (1) Ahimsā (non-violence), (2) Satya (truthfulness), (3) Acaurya (non-stealing), (4) Brahmacarya (chastity), and (5) Aparigraha (freedom from all craving for worldly possessions).
The sādhus maintain an attitude of compassion and equality towards all creatures. Himsā or violence means killing a creature, torturing it, or forcing it to do something against its will, etc. To desist from doing violence is Ahimsā or non-violence.