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In the (last) quarter of the first Paurushi, after paying his respect to the Guru, a monk should inspect his almsbowl, without, however, performing the Kâla-pratikramana1. (22)
LECTURE XXVI.
He should first inspect his mouth-cloth, then his broom3, and taking the broom in his hand he should inspect his cloth. (23)
Standing upright he holds his cloth firmly and inspects it first leisurely, then he spreads it, and at last he wipes it. (24)
(He should spread the cloth) without shaking or crushing it, in such a way as to make the folds disappear, and to avoid friction of its parts against each other; he should fold it up six times in length, and nine times in breadth, and then he should remove living beings with his hand (spreading the cloth on the palm of his hand). (25)
He must avoid want of attention: 1. in beginning his work; 2. in taking up the corners of the cloth; 3. in folding it up; 4. in shaking out the dust; 5. in putting it down (on some other piece of cloth); 6. in sitting upon the haunches 5. (26)
1 I.e. expiation of sins concerning time, cf. Bhandarkar's Report, p. 98, note . It seems to consist in Kâyôtsarga.
This is a piece of muslin which the Gaina monks place before their mouth in speaking, in order to prevent insects being drawn in the mouth by the breath.
3 It is here called gôkkhagagukkhaka, originally a bunch of peacocks' feathers, it is so still, if I am not mistaken, with the Digambaras, whilst the Svêtâmbaras use other materials, especially cotton threads.
There are some Much in my translation is conjectural. technicalities in these verses which I fail to understand clearly, notwithstanding the explanations of the scholiasts.
5 Vêdikâ.
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