Jainism

Author(s): Herbert Warren
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

Page 62

JAINISM
(3) He does not take anything which is not given to him by its owner, and he takes only those things which are necessary for the maintenance of his body.
Things which can be given are of two kinds (1) animate, (2) inanimate.
Of animate objects he does not accept any, even if offered by its owner; because although the owner of a parrot, for instance, may be willing to hand the bird over to a teacher, there is the question as to whether the bird is willing to be handed over; and as all things should claim their freedom, the teacher would not take the bird even if it were willing.
Of inanimate objects he will not take anything that has been made specially for him, food, etc., because by doing so he would share in the consequences (karma) of producing the article.
If the teacher has a superior teacher, or the Master, and is told by him not to take certain things, then these things must not be taken. The obedience here required is not like that of a soldier to his superior officer; the teacher would not kill if told to.
(4) He has entirely given up the sex passion.
(5) He does not own any property in the sense of ownership as understood in law. His clothing is given to him, but he does not have them as “owning” them.
It is said that there are at present living in India monks who possess these five qualifications, and who could be
found by enquiring.