Jain Spirit 2003 03 No 14

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 27

FEATURES
MODELS OF
AUSTERITY AND WISDOM
Jain nuns and saints have to observe a strict ethical code where there is little
room for compromise, explains Lawrence Babb
"One of the most
HE ASCETIC LIFE IS BASED ON FIVE GREAT VOWS potential lethality of the percussions. They may not use any (mahavrats), to which the initiates commit themselves as artificial means of conveyance. This list of prohibitions
part of the initiation (diksa) process. The vows are the same could be greatly extended. for male and female ascetics. They are mostly negative - that is, The vow of ahimsa is the basis of the four-month rainy they are vows not to do a given thing - and apply to three modes season retreat (chaturmas or chomasu), which begins at the and at three levels of action. The actions in question must not be very end of the lunar month of Sravan (July-August). One done with mind (man), speech (vacan) or body (sarir). Moreover, of the most important requirements of the ascetic life is monks must vow not to do them (karna), not to cause them to be movement. Ideally, ascetics travelling in groups of at least done (karvana) and not to admire their being done (anumodan two should never spend more than a few days at a given karna).
place. During the four rainy season The first and in many ways the most
months however, ascetics must establish important vow is ahimsa, which is the vow
semi-permanent residence in one not to harm any living thing. Jain laity are
place - the basic idea being that travel also required to avoid harming life forms but important would endanger the many growing the ascetic's vow is more inclusive,
things that flourish on the ground during extending even to one-sensed beings. Many
the rains. The practice plays an of the most conspicuous features of ascetic
important role in reinforcing the ties life are shaped by this requirement. Ascetics
between laity and ascetics. Resident drink only boiled water so as to avoid
movement.” ascetics give daily sermons and exercise harming small forms of life that would
a more than ordinary influence on the otherwise be present. Their food must be
community, so the rainy season retreat carefully inspected to be sure that it is free of small creatures. is a season of enhanced piety among lay Jains. Local They must avoid walking on ground where there might be communities are eager to invite particularly distinguished or growing things, and they do not bathe so as not to harm minute charismatic ascetics to spend their rainy season retreats forms of water-borne life. An ascetic carries a small broom among them, and arrangements are often made years in (ogha) with which to brush aside small forms of life before advance. sitting or lying down. He or she also carries and in the case of The period of the rainy season retreat is the most Sthanakvasis and Terapanthis permanently wears a mouth-cloth important of the Jain ceremonial year. During this period (muhpatti) with which to protect small forms of life in the air there are two ascetically-oriented annual observances. One from one's hot breath. They may not use fire. They may not is the eight-day period of Paryushan, the most solemn fan themselves lest harm come to airborne life. Although they occasion of the Jain year. It is an occasion for extensive are permitted to sing (and do so during rituals), they are not sermonising by ascetics, for fasting and the performance of permitted to clap or count rhythm on their knees because of the the confessional rite of pratikraman by laypersons. The
requirements of ascetic life is
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Jain Spirit . March - May 2003