Jaina Ethics

Author(s): Dayanand Bhargav
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

Page 171

154
Faina Ethics washing clothes before a novice, even though the water was actually not acitta. For this purpose the Gitārtha monk used gulikā (explained as tubaravyksaguţikā) or khola, meaning a cloth dripped in milk. Both these were used to conceal the fact that sacitta water had been used to wash the cloth. Obviously, the intention of the Gitārtha was to avoid indulgence of the novice in improper behaviour. Nevertheless, it must be conceded that the Gitārtha lacked the moral courage to tell the truth to the novice. Similarly, we find the mention of a Jaina monk wearing the apparel of a heretic in order to seek food and drink.
The vow of non-stealing
The great vow of non-stealing is much more exhaustive than the smaller vow of non-stealing. Whatever little possession a monk has, is acquired by him by begging of the householders. No object, howsoever small, should be acquired or used by the monk without an express permission of the owner.
The monk should refrain from taking any thing without being offered, not only in a village or a town, but also in a forest.2 Books etc. are also to be taken with permission. One should have an attitude of detachment towards one's possessions. Rules for obtaining food, which we shall mention separately, should be observed.5 Tattvārthasūtra speaks of certain rules for choosing one's residence also. It says that :
1. The monk should stay in a solitary place. 2. Or he should stay in a deserted place.
3. He should not deny other persons the right to stay where he is staying
The idea is that he should not claim his residence as his personal property even for a limited period during his stay. This vow also implies that the monk should not quarrel with his fellow monks over any of his possessions.?
1. Brhatkalpabhāsya, Bhavanagar, 1936, Vol. III, 2882. 2. Mülācāra, 5.290. 3. Vasunandi on Mülācāra, 5.142. 4. Ibid., 5.142. 5. Infra. pp. 171-174. 6. Pujyapāda on Tattvārthasūtra, 7.6. 7. Ibid., 7.6.