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Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Svarīpa
211 There is slight variation in the practices of the sky-clad and the white-clad monks but the essence is the same. Sivakoti' says that such order is not irreversible and that changes may be effected as and when needed and seem to be proper.
Penance alone is not voluntary death. What is more necessary is the total extinction of passions, entertaining noble thoughts and abandonment of delicious victuals.
While readying oneself for such death it is very necessary to detach oneself from worldly affairs. In case there be rancour and anger for somebody, the first thing to do is to apologise to the concerned person. He must reveal his sins without the least hitch to his seniors.
The place for such death should be selected with discrimination. The ruler must not be averse to religion. His subjects should have proper regard for the Acarya and monks. The people thereof should be in a good frame of mind and the atmosphere conducive to penances. There should be absolutely no attachment to one's body or to others. He should be ready for severest afflictions. To begin with, solid food should be taken, later juices and the like. In no case bile, phlegm and wind should be disturbed. One should know how long one is to live. In case he is destined to live long still, his plan of such death should be postponed.
Samantabhadra suffered much because of digestive disorder. The teacher did not permit him for voluntary death because he instinctively perceived that he was destined to live long. Plato and Aristotle in Greece opposed the custom of Sati, In modern times Rājā Rāmamohanraya was instrumental in persuading the British Government to legislate against this pernicious system. In the seventeenth and eighteenth century in Russia religious fanatics used to burn themselves. It has ever been opposed by enlightened people everywhere.
Christianity and Islamic religions never permitted this custom. Jesus Christ said that you shall neither kill others nor kill yourself.
Vyāsa, however, favoured self-immolation. He said, "He who is drowned reaps the fruit for seven thousand years, who is consumed by fire for fourteen thousand and who dies fasting for countless years."
Lord Mahāvīra raised his voice against suicides for whatever purpose they were committed. Such deaths are devoid of any spiritual trace. He raised his voice against superstitious practices and also against such as are killed in battlefields with the assurance that they thereby will be admitted to heaven. There is no salvation without a pure heart.
Jainism pleads for the protection of both body and spirit, but when the body is not amenable to any treatment nor fit for spiritual observances, it
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