Jainism and Mahavira

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Digambar Jain Sahitya Sanskriti Sanskaran Samiti

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attain complete emancipation from Karmas without being naked52
The Buddha was completely against nakedness (Acelakatva); He criticised this rule along with others on several occasions, though he is said to have followed the same before he had attained Buddhahood.
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Niganthas are expected to have 27 qualities Pranatipata Viramana etc.. Among the requisites he is permitted to have a broom made of peacock feathers and a water-pot made of wood for using after answering calls of nature. He sleeps either on the bare ground or on a plank of wood. He never uses blankets and the like, even during the cold season. He is not supposed even to touch money.
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A Jaina ascetic takes his meal and water once a day between about 9.00 A.M. and 12.00 Noon. He eats out of his own palms in a standing position. The concept behind this rule is to abstain from all botherations and mundane affairs. The food should be pure in nine ways (Navakoti-parisuddham). The faults pertaining to the improper begging of food are generally grouped into four, viz. Udgama (preparation of food), Utpadana (the ways of adopting food), Esana (the method of accepting food), and Paribhoga (way of eating food,its quantity etc.)56 The main purpose of eating is to gain physical strength adequate for the purpose of performing religious duties.
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Some of these ascetic practices which were prevalent at that time among Samanas and Brahmanas are referred to by the name of Acela Kassapa. The same practices are said to have been practised by the Buddha himself before he attained enlightenment. Out of these practices, several are reminiscent of the eight aforesaid faults pertaining to food prescribed for Jaina monks.
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The fundamentals of moral discipline consist of the twentyeight Mulagunas, the Uttaragunas, five-fold Acaras, the twelve Anuprekasa or reflections, the twelve-fold penance or Tapas, ten kinds of Vaiyavrttis, and the twenty-two kinds of Parisahas. The 54. Samavayanga, 27.1
55.
Mulacara. 10.92
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56. ibid, 10.78
57. Majjhimanikaya, i.77;Dighanikaya, i. 166; Mulacara, 6.2.
58. Majjhimanikaya, i.77
59. Mulacara, 6.2.
60. Majjhimanikaya, i.93;ii.31.
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