________________
RELEVANCE OF TWELVE VOWS
IN MODERN CONTEXT
JAGDISH PRASAD JAIN "SADHAK"
A Jain householder is enjoined to practise twelve vows, five anuvratas (abstentions), three gunavratas (augmenting or supporting vows) and four sikṣāvratas (self-disciplinary practices).
The five ethical vows are ahimsā (non-injury to living beings), truthfulness, abstention from stealing, sex-fidelity and parigraha parimāṇa vrata or the vow of setting a limit to the maximum wealth or worldly objects one would possess. These five-fold code of morals constitutes a simple code of conduct. Its reasonable observance (anuvrata) would leave no scope for the application of the penal code of any civilized country. They thus form the real basis or foundation of social reconstruction. In talking about the observance of these rules of conduct in their strictest sense (mahāvrata), Jainism has shown the path of unlimited independence and development of an individual to the highest stage, even to attain salvation or mokṣa.
While all the five vows are of great importance for individual and society, two of them- ahimsa and parigraha parimana-deserve special
mention.
Jain Education International
Ahimsā
The Jaina concept of ahimsa and "live and let live" is most comprehensive as it precludes all types of injury, physical (killing, wounding, etc.), mental (harbouring ill feeling towards others-it disturbs the equanimity of one's soul even though no harm to others may actually follow), or in words (harsh words) and whether committed by oneself, commissioned or consented to, and applies to all living beings, including animals, insects and even immobile unisensory beings-earth, fire, air, water and vegetable-bodied beings which are said to possess four vitalities, viz. sense of touch, energy, respiration, and life duration. In the absence of ahimsa, maitri (fellow feeling) and the principle of reciprocity (parasparopagraho jivānām), it will not be possible to let or have healthy social interaction. This mighty moral standard of ahimsā has to be followed by everyone according to his
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
