Jain Journal 1972 04

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

Page 32

APRIL, 1972
169
The Jaina sādhus practise also ten virtues of yatis, which are called yatidharma or the virtues of a self-controlled sādhu : (1) Kşamā (forgiveness), (2) Mārdava (humility), (3) Ārjava (candour), (4) Nirlobhatā (non-covetousness), (5) Akiñcanatā (poverty), (5) Satya (truthfulness), (7) Sanyama (restraint), (8) Tapasyā (austerities), (9) Sauca (inner and outer purity, and (10) Brahmacarya (chastity).
They have to subdue the wild impulses of their minds, speech, and bodies. They have to be always alert and vigilant in the observance of three guptis or rules of self-discipline. The first is manogupti, which means inhibition or elimination of evil and impure thoughts, and the initiation of a train of good thoughts. The seccond, vacanagupti, means a restraint over one's speech, or, if necessary, the observance of total silence. The third, kāyagupti, is a regulation of all the movements of one's body. Again, the sādhus have to observe five samitis : Tryyā samiti, bhāṣā samiti, eșanā samiti, ādāna-niksepa samiti, and utsarga samiti. They have to walk with care, so that they may not tread upon any creature this is īryyā samiti. To be restrainted in speech and speak only what is true and beneficial is bhāṣā samiti. To procure with care and caution only the food which is pure, harmless and necessary for the maintenance of the body, is eşnā samiti. To take and keep things with care is ādānaniksepa samiti. And to be careful in the disposal of excrements, urine, cough, rags, etc. so that they may not fall upon or injure any sentient being is utsarga samiti.
They observe equality towards all, friends and foes alike. They do not take any food after nightfall, do not use any kind of conveyance, live by begging, do not accept money, and do not collect and hoard anything for themselves. These are some of the hard rules of selfcontrol they strive to practise.
To inhibit the train of evil thoughts and engage the mind in good thought the sādhus have to practise twelve kinds of meditation :
(1) Life, youth, wealth and property, everything is impermanent,
therefore, one should not be attached to them. This thoughtcurrent is called anitya bhāvanā or meditation on the impermanence of all worldly things.
(2) As none can save a deer from the jaws of a lion, so none can
save a man from the clutches of disease and calamity. This kind of thought is called ašarana bhāvanā or meditation of the forlorn helplessness of man.