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Jaina Ethics devote himself absolutely to spiritualism. Even though depending on society for such bare necessities of life as food, he is above all social obligations. His goal is transcendental morality which is beyond good or bad in the ordinary sense of the words. His life is predominated by niscayanaya or real point of view rather than by vyavahāranaya or practical point of view. In order to attain perfection, he has to avoid even smallest defects in his conduct even though this may make his living odd and inconvenient from a worldly point of view.
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The institution of Jaina monkhood has been traced to pre-Vedic periods.1 The description of Rsabhadeva in the Bhāgavata very much resembles the description of Jaina monk.3 Even though there has been some modification in the moral code of a Jaina monk, which will be noted at places in this chapter, it may be pointed out that the mode of living of a Jaina monk has essentially remained unchanged for all these ages. The study of the conduct of a Jaina monk, therefore, forms a unique chapter of Indian civilisation because here we can see the continuity of a great tradition for a considerably long period i.e. from pre-vedic age down to modern times.
Qualifications for initiation into monkhood
Originally, Jainism revolted against casteism. Harikesin, who was a Pariah, was taken into the order and thus the privilege given to particular castes for entering monkhood was extended to others also.3
Sthānangasūtra mentions that a eunuch, a sick person and a timid person should not be initiated and the commentary adds that the following categories of persons do not qualify for initiation (1) A child under eight years, (2) a person who is old and infirm, (3) devoid of limbs, (4) dull, (5) robber, (6) offending the king, (7) mad, (8) blind, (9) slave, (10) wicked, (11) stupid, (12) in debt (13) attendant, (14) kidnapped, (15) a pregnant woman (16) and a woman with a child.4
1. Anekanta, Varsa 10. Kirana 11-12, pp. 433-456.
2. Srimadbhāgavatapurana, 5.3, 4, 5 and 6.
3. Uttaradhyayana, 12.1.
4. Cf. Deo, S.B., History of Jaina Monachism, Poona, 1956, p. 140, footnote 3.
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