________________
BRAHMESHANANDA: JAIN MONASTIC RULES
115
Under the vow of non-stealing, monks as a rule cannot stay at a place without prior permission. But as an exception, if it is not possible to stay outside or in a forest, and if the monks reach an unknown village at night, they may stay at a suitable place at night and seek permission later.6 A monk vowed to practise chastity in thought, word and deed must not touch even a newly born female child. But there is this exception : he can catch hold of a drowning nun and pull her out to save her life.?
From the above illustrations it is evidence that the possibility of exceptions can never be denied and even the founders of monastic rules were conscious of this fact. It must, however, be noted that these exception pertain only to temporary situations. The monk is expected to revert to the practice of basic precepts as soon as the specific situation is over.
Later modifications in rules
Jain monastic rules in their pristine pure form are extremely rigorous. Only a few monks dare to observe them to the letter. These uncompromising ascetics are called Jīnakalpas. 8 They believe that the written word of the Tirthankar Mahāvīra must be honoured and followed to the letter, and that there is no scope in then for interpretation or explanation. They however forget that it is not the question of lack of faith in and disregarded for the written word of the Founder but the ability of the follower to practise them. The majority of aspirants, although possessing complete faith and having sincere desire and true aspiration to follow the path, are not sufficiently competence-physically or psychologically-for the most austere way of a literal observance of the law. Out of untempered zeal they were to practise the rigorous discipline they may break down physically or mentally and incur more harm than good. The later Acharyas, who had vast knowledge and lifelong experience of problems of spiritual life and the complexities of human nature, therefore proposed certain exceptions which were of an almost permanent nature. This led to the development of alternative modes of monastic life. Those who adopted the less rigorous path were called Sthavirakalpas. In contrast to
6. "Vyavahāra Sūtra', 8. 11, quoted by Upadhyaya Amarmuni, op. cit.,
p. 22. 7. 'Brihadkalpa Sutra', 6:7-11. quoted of Upadhyaya Amarmuni, op. cit.,
p. 23. 8. Pandit Dalsukha Malvaniya, Nisheeth Ek Adhyayana (Hindi), Sanmati
Jnana Pitha, 1959, p. 54.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
