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although no body attains salvation by observing this mode of eating but it gives an impression that an ascetic takes an oath that he should take his meals till he could keep food is the hollow of his palms in standing position.97
Quantity of food
A Jaina monk is supposed to fill half his belly with food, one fourth with water, and one fourth with wind. The maximum quantity of food to be taken ordinarly is 32 morsels ( kavala ).88 the 'Ekūlopiko, dudlopiko, sattalopiko indicate further restrictions on the quantity of food consumed by a monk.
The Circumstances under which Food could not be taken
A long list of circumstances under which food could not be taken is given in the Malācāra. If a crow touches the food or if some onc vomits or if the monk happens to see blood or flesh or somebody crying or if living beings like flies fall into his food, no food should be accepted under such circumstances. Na yattha su upațshito hoti ( 17 ), Na yattha makkhika sandasandacárini (18), Na macchan, na mamsari, na suran, na merayam, na thusodakam prati (19) point out further circumstances. Fasting
The reference “Ekahikam pi ahiram ahareti, duihikam pi āharar ahäreti, sattihukam pe ahüram ahareti, iti evarüpani addha masikan pi pariyāyabhattabhojanānuyogamanuyutto viharati,'' (22) shows that fasting was prevalent in the A celaka sect, especially in Jainism. According to Jaina ethical standpoint, one should fast according to dravya (substance), kşetra (place), kala ( time ), and bhava ( mental state ). Various methods fasting are mentioned in Jaina literature and monks used to fast even for months.99
Thus the above mentioned references to Acelaka's practices in Pali literature are related in many respects to the practices of Jaina monachism,
