Jain Moral Doctrine

Author(s): Harisatya Bhattacharya
Publisher: Jain Sahitya Vikas Mandal

Page 74

CARDINAL VIRTUES
abstaining from food and drink and by making religious study etc. in these days of fasting. The vow of fasting is violated by execrating in a place without inspecting and sweeping it beforehand (the Apratyavekṣitāpramārjitotsarga); by taking up a thing from or laying it down in a place, without first inspecting and sweeping it (the Apratyavakṣitāpramārijitādāna); by arranging for sitting in a place without first inspecting and sweeping it (the Apratyavekşitāpramārjita-samstaropakramaņa); by giving up interest in fasting (the Anādara) and by forgetting the prescribed formalities for fasting (the Smrtyanupasthāna).
The Bhogopabhoga-parimāņa is a vow, limiting one's enjoyment of both 'exhaustible' (Upa-bhoga) and 'un-exhaustible' (Bhoga) things. It is the third of the disciplinary sub-vows and is transgressed when the vower takes to eating living things, even such as green vegetables (Saçittāhāra); when he uses for his own purpose, a thing which is connected with a living thing e.g. when he uses a green leaf as a plate (Saçitta-sambandhāhāra); when he consumes a mixture of living and non-living things, e.g. hot and cold water together (Saçitta-sammiśrāhāra); when he eats exciting or particularly invigorating food (Abhisavāhāra); or when he takes an ill-cooked food (duh-pakvāhāra).
The fourth sub-vow under the 'Śikṣā-vrata is the Atithi-samvibhāga which means taking a vow to take one's meals only after · giving a part of them to a deserving guest, preferably a man living
the austere moral life of an ascetic, having right faith and right conduct; or, failing him, a house-holder having right conduct only; or, failing him a, person with right faith but without any observance of the vows. These are called the 'Supātras' or worthy donees. Not so good a donee would be one whose outward conduct is good but who is devoid of right faith; he is a 'Kupātra. A person, however, whose conduct is not good and who is not possessed of right faith is an 'Apātra' or unworthy donee. The Jainas lay down principles which determine the nature of the 'things' to be given (e.g., "the things' given should be helpful to study, etc.), the 'manners' in which they are to be given (e.g. by welcoming the guest etc. etc.), and the attitude', both of the giver and of the taker at the time when the gifts are made (e.g. in all humility etc.). The Jainas however assert that in the matter of 'Karuņādānā' or charities, no distinction is to be made as regards the persons who are to receive the gifts, so that food, medicine, knowledge and removal of fears should be freely extended to all needy persons, Jaina or non-jaina, human or sub-human. This vow of 'giving to guests' is violated if one places
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