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Jaina View of Life
are included in the twenty-eight basic malagunas of a Muni.lo Rigorous restrictions are imposed on an ascetic; which if imposed on the layman. it would not be possible for him to practise in conformity with his responsibility of household life.
The Dasavaikā lika-sūtra gives description of the essential qualities required of an ascetic. One who is self-controlled, who is free
ree from passion and is non-attached is a real Muni. He saves his soul and those of others. Such self-controlled persons go to heaven (deva-loka), or are freed from the bonds of life according to the degree of destruction of Karma. One who gets to heaven is reborn and has to continue his struggle for the destruction of the remaining Karma ultimately to attain Mokşa."
A true monk should have no desires, nor attachments and should wander about as the known beggar. He should live as a model of righteousness." He is not to live by any profession or occupation; possessed of full self-control and free from any ties, he should live the life of a homeless mendicant.
The daily routine of a monk is well regulated and regimented. He has to be severely solemn and is obliged to behave in a strictly reserved and inobtrusive manner. He cannot indulge in singing, dancing, laughing or any other form of merry-making. He has to devote much of his time to meditation, study, and in the third part of the day he has to go only for food and drink.18
The Acara ngasūtra and Dašaraika lika present a detailed picture of the strict rules for taking a midday meal. He has to be modest in behaviour and give precedence to other receivers and even to animals." And such a monk practising the rigours
10. Mülācāra. 1-36. 11. Das avaikälika-sūtra. 10. 1-15. 12. Uttaradhyayana-sūtra, 15.1 (S.B.E. Vol. XLV). 13. Uttarādhyayana-sūtra, 30, 19 and 26. 14. Acäränga-sutra : II. 44; I. 59, 25, 52.
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