Jainism and Democracy

Author(s): Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: I A S S Jain Conference New Delhi

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THE VOWS FOR A HOUSEHOLDER
Jainism prescribes two codes of conduct for morality and spiritual development. The higher code is meant for the monks who have renounced the worldly life and are free from social obligations. The lower code is meant for the laity striving for salvation without renouncing the social responsibilities. This latter code provides valuable material for the organization of a healthy and prosperous society.
It is divided into twelve vows further classified into three groups. The first group consisting for five vows presents a code for ethical conduct. The second group consisting of three presents a descipline subsidiary to the main ethical code. The remaining group consisting of four vows is meant for refinement or the unfoldment of the dormant spiritual qualities.
A vow is graded on the basis of three types of commitments. The three commitments are : (i) to do oneself (ii) to order and (iii) to comment upon a sin committed by someone else. Of each grade there are three instruments i.e. mind, speech and body. Thus there are nine ways of committing a sin and to refrain from all of them by observing vows is possible for a monk only. A householder is advised to refrain from as many of the nine as possible, according to his capacity and inner strength (Elche gifəa).
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