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Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Swarupa
ascetics must not stay in the vicinity of many shops. If perchance there be no other alternative, they must use a curtain for privacy and safety. There is no such restriction for male ascetics. They may use mosquito-curtains. They must not stand, sit, eat or study near a tank nor should they linger where aphrodisiac pictures are exhibited. They should stay nowhere without permission from the owner of the house. When there is a conflict between an ascetic and his teacher he must apologise instantly. A similar treatment should be meted out to his associates. A quiet, unruffled soul can make a positive spiritual progress.
They must not wander from village to village in the rainy season. When an ascetic moves out for begging, easing nature and is invited by some votary to present him with cloth, utensils, blanket and the like, he may accept them and report to the head of the Order for his approval or otherwise. A female ascetic should likewise report to her head.
In case a hermit has to go out for easing nature at night, he shall not go alone. Anga and Magadha in the east, Kaušāmbi in the south, Sthūnā in the west and Kunala in the north are said to be auspicious for religious pilgrimages.
No grain with life should remain scattered within the sight of ascetics. At such a place they must not stay even for a short while, since there is a possibility of their touching such grain. Ascetics may stay in winter or summer at a place where grain is heaped. In rainy season, too, where it is stored, they may stay for two nights. If they overstay, they have to atone for it. There must be a complete separation of monks and nuns. One should not meet the other at their respective abodes. They must not spend any time there may be, ostensibly for self-study, meditation and the like.
Nuns should not make use of soft seats. A monk, however, may use the seat made of leather for a night provided it had been earlier used by the householder. He must return it to the owner the very next day.
Monks and nuns are not expected to put on coloured or glittering cloth nor one fresh from the mill.
One who is to be initiated should leave everything behind and have three whole cloths, utensils and a bunch of Kusa grass to remove insects from the road. One who was initiated earlier but was guilty of violation of vows may use his previous accouterment and outfit at the time of re-initiation. A nun needs must take just four cloths.
No cloths should be accepted in the rainy season. In winter and summer, however, such things should be acceptable. Cloths should be distributed in order of spiritual merit. The least meritorious should never be given precedence. Likewise rooms for staying should be allotted. First to the senior in merit, second to the sick ones, third to those who had vowed not to Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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