Book Title: Jainism The Cosmic Vision
Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: UK Mahavir Foundation London

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Page 45
________________ Jainism : The Cosmic Vision all the Jains. So they are strict vegetarians. Many devout Jains observe further restriction on food by not consuming figs, honey and root vegetables to avoid killing of infinite minute beings. Again, this vow demands that vowers should desist from taking up occupations that involve cruelty to animals and humans. (2) Abstinence from falsehood (mrushavada-viramana): Ascetics abstain from all falsehood, gross and subtle. But householders abstain from five gross falsehoods relating to persons, animals, immovable property, deposits left with them, and evidence either in or out of court. Truthfulness is not speaking what is only factually true, but speaking what is factually true as well as good, pleasant and wholesome. (3) Abstinence from stealing (asatta-adana-viramana): This vcw consists in not taking what is not given by the owner. Monks and nuns may accept a thing given by its owner, only if it is in accord with monastic rules. (4) Abstinence from sexual activities (maithuna-viramana): Ascetics abstain from all sexual activities. For householders this vow means refraining from all illicit extra-marital sexual activities. (5) Abstinence from possessions or attachment (aparigraha) : Monks and nuns have renounced all possessions. Whatever things they use for the sustenance of their body and for the performance of religious activities in the strict accordance of the monastic rules are not owned by them, nor do they have any attachment for them. For householders this vow means limiting their desire of possessing, and hence actual possessing 28 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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