Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 13

6
appreciating conduct, life and activities of spiritually advanced people, avoiding expenditure exceeding income and so on. Such rules make life pleasant.
JAIN JOURNAL
A. Spiritual Stages of a Householder :
A Jaina householder's disciplines have been discussed in various ways in Jaina scriptures. Out of them two types may be specially mentioned. In the first type he has to undergo eleven stages called Srāvakapratimas whereas the laymen make spiritual progress through gradual restrictions upon worldly activities. The second classification is divided into three, viz. (i) Pākṣika Sravaka, (ii) Naiṣṭhika Sravaka, and (iii) Sadhaka Srāvaka.
(i) Pākṣika Srävaka
This is the first spiritual status of a Jaina laity in which he first takes a vow with right faith not to eat meat, not to drink alcohol or wine, not to relish honey or any of the five kinds of figs containing souls. Then he desists from injury, falsehood, stealing, unchastity and attachment to wealth. These are the eight basic restraints (mulagunas) which are to be followed by even an ordinary Jaina layman. He also takes a vow not to indulge in seven types of obnoxious habits (vyasanas) which make the life disasterous. They are, (a) gambling and racing, (b) meateating, (c) alcoholic drinks, (d) prostitution, (e) hunting, (f) stealing, and (g) sexual intercourse with other's wife or husband. He ponders over the consequences of man's indulgence in these vices. They are the cause of sin or demerit and those who are engaged in sinful activities are punished here by administrators and society members and are subjected to suffering in the next world. He also leads the life of a strict vegetarian. His profession should not be violent. One point is remarkable here that restraint from injury etc. refers to restraint from injuring himself. This extremity leads him to a pious life. Along with the observation of the aṣṭamulaguṇas a Jaina householder must practise the six more activities for spiritual progress. They are called avaśyakas:
(a) Worship of the Tirthankaras: This attribute has given rise to the construction of huge Jaina images and temples all over India. It has developed an independent branch of art and architecture, painting etc. There is no priest system working as an intermediary in Jainism. The worship of the Tirthankaras sometimes assumes an unusual proportion with their pañcakalyāṇakas, vidhānas, visits to holy places and other religious ceremonies. (b) Service to spiritual teacher with obedience,