Jaina Path of Ahimsa

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

Page 58

Comprehensiveness Of Ahiṁsā
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(c) Upabhoga-paribhoga-parimāna means taking a vow to limit one's enjoyment of consumable and non-consumable things. It involves putting restrictions on or giving up the use of vegetables, fruits, food etc., containing infinite number of lives and limiting use of things like clothes, furniture, etc. It also entails giving up the sins of falsehood, sexual impurity, etc., It is also laid down that the enjoyment of things should be limited to fixed days and nights, and within these limits further limits of enjoyment for fixed hours should be made. In this way a graduated course of renunciation, progressing with rising capacity and clearer knowledge is prescribed. Hence it is specifically stated in 'Purushārthasiddhi-upāya' that
इति य: परिमितभोगैः संतुष्टस्त्यजति बहुतरान् भोगान् । TEATECHIPAREIGE 3TFEAT FAIETET PART II 166
that is, "he who. being thus contented with a few limited enjoyments, renounces the vast majority of them, observes Ahiṁsā par-excellence because of abstention from considerable Hiṁsā.” Thus, by the practice of this Sikshā-vrata, the observance of Ahirsā becomes rnore and more extensive.
(d) Atithi-Samvibhāga means taking a vow to take one's food only after feeding proper persons like ascetics, pious householders, etc., The food offered should be such as is helpful to studies and to the due observance of austerities. Again, food is to be offered to the true believers and that too without any expectation of worldly benefits. Such a gift of food is, in fact, an act of Ahiṁsā, as it is an antithesis of greed which is Hirsā. Thus, giving a gift amounts to Ahimsā because it is a concomitant of self-purification of the giver and helps in the spiritual advancement of the donee.