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JAINA CULTURE
pations. With regard to food there are three possibilities : (1) a complete fast, (2) a fast in which the taking of water is permitted and (3) the taking of one meal a day. The vow may be carried out in any suitable place. The whole time should be spent in meditation, study, reciting scriptures and listening to religious stories, discourses etc. A suitable spot must be chosen, examined and swept either with a broom or with the flap of one's garment before voiding feces, urine, spittle and the like. Similarly, a proper sleepingplace must be chosen, examined and swept.
Sharing with the Guest :
The atithi-samvibhaga (sharing with the guest) vow makes it obligatory for the laity to give alms to ascetics. Four things are offered to the ascetic food, implements, medicine and shelter. He must be offered pure food with a pure heart. Implements such as clothes, almsbowls, blankets, books, brooms and the like must be presented to him. He must be given wholesome and proper medicine. Suitable shelter must be provided for him. He is called guest because he comes on any day without any regularity or definiteness. He moves from place to place without transgressing his selfcontrol. The lay-votary is forbidden to offer to the ascetic such objects by which living beings may be killed, by which harmful activities may be provoked, through which misfortune is occasioned or disease spread or as a result of which fear is inspired or the recipient ruined. Jainism enjoins the giving of food etc. not only to the ascetic but also to the very young and the very old, the blind, the dumb, the deaf, strangers from another land, sick people and the like. As an expression of compassion, one should help those who are in need. Nothing that is prejudicial to right belief and right conduct should.be given. Offerings to the spirits of the ancestors and other superstitious gifts are prohibited. One should use his wealth indiscriminately to assist all who are in misery or poverty.
