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JAIN: THE JAINA WAY OF LIFE
1. The Eleven Duties
A householder devotee should follow some kind of business, trade or profession, which is not of an ignoble or degrading nature. He should do so in a just and honest way and in proportion to his capital, or in case of employment under other people, in proportion to his strength. The business should not harm any men, animals, fish, birds or insects. Therefore the business must not be that of a butcher, brewer, wine merchant, gun-maker or anything which involves destruction of life. When money is earned honestly the mind remains peaceful and the wealth is enjoyed without any disturbance.
The layman should not marry a person from the same lineage. He should marry a person of different gotra but with similar character, taste, culture and language etc. This will result in harmonious relationship thereby rendering discord and misunderstanding less likely. He should respect parents and elders. He should serve the ascetics who come to him for bhikṣā (food) as well as guests with due respect. He should also help the needy and destitutes and satisfy their needs. He should maintain his dependents and make them work for the well-being of the family. He should live in a house which is not accessible to thieves and rogues and cannot be entered by undesirable people. He should dress according to his means but the dress should be decent and not gaudy. His expences should be in proportion to his income.
He should eat and drink at the proper time in conformity with his constitution. Excessive eating should be avoided. Food should be taken only at home. He should fast when he is suffering from indigestion.
II. Discarding eight Derogations
These include giving up (i) calumny, (ii) betraying the trust, deceiving and cheating, (iii) gambling, (iv) the six internal foes viz. anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment and aversion, (v) places of danger like battle field, places having epidemic or famine etc. (vi) meat eating, intoxicants and (vii) crimes which might lead to imprisonment.
He should properly perform his household duties, but should not be careless in his religious duties.
III. The eight virtues to be cultivated
A layman should acquire the habit of discretion between right and wrong acts and should keep away from ignoble sinful acts. He should be a farsighted person and plan properly for the future needs of his
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