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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXV, No. 3 January 2001
attained infinite knowledge, infinite intuition and infinite bliss. Only aster obtaining omniscience, he began to preach and give discourses. He stressed the importance of right faith, right knowledge and right conduct. He stated that a man could rise high only by humility, noble conduct and discipline. He established caturvidha sangha (the fourfold congregation of monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen, so as to provide proper guidance to the monks and nuns and to inspire and stimulate the laymen and laywomen in their religious practices. In the sangha established by Lord Mahāvīra there was no difference between men and women. Both were regarded as equal. The women were also initiated as nuns, which was a great revolutionary step at that time.
Now we have to examine how the teachings of Lord Mahāvīra can improve the life of ordinary people and bring peace and prosperity to them. Some critics say that the principles of Jainism are so difficult that they cannot be practised by ordinary people. This is a fallacy. Teachings of Lord Mahāvīra are grouped into two parts. 1. Teachings to śramanas (mendicants) and teachings to householders (Śrävakas). Śramanas have no doubt to follow very rigorous and extensive restraints, because they proceed to the path of sarva-virati or total renunciation. Once they take pravrajyā (renunciation), they have to observe the panca Mahāuratas or the five great vows of total abstinence from violence, untruth, stealing, sexual indulgence and possessions. They proceed to the path of liberation which is the state of infinite consciousness, absolute freedom and eternal bliss. They devote their whole life to scriptural study, service to the guru and dedicate themselves to preaching. But so far as the householders are concerned, the teachings of Lord Mahavira are much simpler.
Thirty five Rules of Conduct
Jain Ācāryas have described the duties and responsibilities of the laity elaborately. These are called 35 virtues of a Margānusārī (one who follows the path shown by Jinas). These rules prevent a laity from deviating the spiritual path and prompt him to rise higher. It is the means by which he gets the right attitude of living. It is due to these virtues he begins to stop the karmic influx. From the sincere practice of these rules, his soul gets purified. Acārya Sri Bhuvanabhānuśrīśvaraji has nicely classified these rules into following four groups in his book “A Handbook of Jainology":
I Eleven obligatory duties II Eight derogations that ought to be discarded III Eight virtues to be cultivated and IV Eight endeavours to be carried out with diligence.
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