________________
172
Faina Ethics
As the monk has very limited sphere of worldly enjoyments, there is every likelihood of his concentrating upon the taste of his food. The Jaina scriptures have laid down very elaborate rules for the monk in this respect. He should not accept food if it involves any transgression either on the side of the giver or on the side of the receiver or in the manner in which it is offered.
Below we give the list of these faults1 : The first category of faults
The udgama mistakes or mistakes on the part of the giver are sixteen in number. The monk should not accept food
1. if it is specially prepared for him;
2. if some additional food or new item has been cooked on seeing him;
3. if the sterilized or prāsuka food has been mixed with unsterilized food or water;
4. if he is asked to take the food together with layman;
5. if the food is offered to him after being removed from the place of its preparation;
6. if the food is remnant of offerings; 7. if the food is offered at wrong time;
8. if pots containing food are removed from one place to another at the sight of himself, or pots are washed before him, or a lamp is lit;
9. if the food has been purchased; 10. if the food has been borrowed;
11. if the food has been obtained in exchange for some other article;
12. if the food has been brought from another's house; 13. if the food has been kept uncovered;
14. if the food is offered at a place where he can reach only by mounting a ladder;
15. if the food is offered out of fear; 16. if someone has objected to the offering of food.
1. Ācāra sāra, 8.14-57. Also SBE, Vol. XLV, pp. 131 f.n. 7; Anāgå.
radharmāmrta, 5.2-38.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
