Jain Thought and Culture

Author(s): G C Pandey
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 25

Some Refleclions on Early Jaina and Buddhist Monachism
and every kind of lu\ury, nor must he pronounce any formula of renunciation similar to that which the monks utter on entering the Order Therefore, unless the Buddhist account contains some mistake or is a gross misstatement, it would appear that the Jainas have abated some what their rigidity with regard to the duties of a layman" 42
Varsavasa (Rain-retreat) was another custom commonly observed by the Brahmanical Sannyasıns, the Niganthas and the Buddhists The custom was necessitated by the climatic requirements of the region where these ascetic sects were active 43 For the Buddhists the period started on the Asadha full-moon or one month after it and ended on the full-moon day of Kartika, 44 the Jainas observed their stay when fifty days of actual rainy season (ie the month of Jyestha and I wenty days of Asadha) had already elapsed and ended on the fifth day of Bhadrapada 45 Many common rules were observed in the two Samghas with regard to the rainretreat period 46
42 Jacobi in Jaina Sutras, SBE, Vol 45, Intro pp xyil XIX 42 G C Pandeya, Bauddha Dharma ke Vikasa ka Itihasa, p. 151 44 Mahavagga, p 144 45 Deo, op cit, p. 158 46 See, Deo, op cit, pp 157-158, my The Age of Vinaya, pp. 121-123