Jainism a Glimpse

Author(s): Punyadarshanvijay
Publisher: Sanmarg Prakashan

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The Jaina monk/nun (Śramaṇa) at the time of initiation takes five great vows (Mahāvrata) to put it briefly they are :
(1) Prāṇātipāta Viramaṇa : To abstain from Himsā (Violence-injury) of mobile (Trasakaya) and immobile (Sthaverkaya) - such as plants, earth, etc., whether visible or invisible.
(2) Mṛṣāvāda viramana: To abstain from speaking untruth.
(3)
Adattādāna Viramana: To abstain from taking anything (even a blade of grass) without prior permission of the owner.
(4) Maithuna Viramana: To abstain from "Sex passion". The sex passions implies materialistic pleasures of all the five senses-complete celibacy is implicit.
(5) Parigraha Viramaņa: To abstain from possession or acquisition and in addition (6) Rātribhōjana Viramaṇa, (Nocturnal meals) to abstain from food and water, 48 minutes before sunset and not until 48 minutes after sunrise.
It is implicit that all vows must be fully observed i.e. by (i) Thought, (ii) Speech, (iii) Physical action (iv) He will not do it himself-, Nor (v) Get it done through others, neither (vi) Approve nor appreciate others doing it.
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