Jaina Path of Ahimsa

Author(s): Vilas Sangve
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir Research Centre

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The Jaina Path Of Ahiṁsā
6) Upabhoga-paribhoga-parimāņa, i.e., Taking a vow every day limiting one's enjoyment of consumable and non-consumable things, and
7) Atithi-saṁvibhāga, i.e., Taking a vow to take one's food only after feeding the ascetics, or, in their absence, the pious householders.
Out of these seven Silavratas or supplementary vows, the first three are called Gunavratas, i.e., multiplicative vows, because they do raise the value of the five main vows; and the remaining four vows are called Sikshāvratas, i.e., disciplinary vows, because they are preparatory for the discipline of an ascetic life. Thus
a) the five Anuvratas, b) the three Gunavratas, and
c) the four Sikshāvratas, constitute the twelve vows of a layman.
Further, it has been specially laid down that there are five atichāras, i.e., defects or partial transgressions for each of these twelve vratas or vows and that these atichāras have also to be avoided by the obsevers of these vows.
* In addition to the above twelve vratas or vows, a Jaina layman is expected to practise in the last moment of his life the process of Sallek'anā or peaceful death. Sallekhanā is described as the giving up of the body on the arrival of unavoidable calamity, distress, old age and disease, with a view to increase spiritual merit. This Sallekhanā is added to act as an extra vow to the existing twelve vows of a householder. Like other vows, Sallekhanā has also got five atichāras. i.e., partial transgressions which are to be avoided by a householder.
Further Jainism has laid down certain gunas or virtues which have to be assiduously cultivated by the householders. The observance of the five anuvratas, i.e., small vows, and refraining from the use of three makāras', i.e., 'm's viz., 'madya', i.e., wine, 'māňsa', i.e., flesh and madhu', i.e., honey, are regarded as 'ashța-mūlagunas', i. e., the eight basic or primary virtues of a householder. For minimising injury to living beings, complete abstinence of wine, flesh and honey is advocated and every householder must necessarily possess these eight fundamental virtues.