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earlier bonded karma-matter, which can be achieved by appropriate penance. The resultant progressive purity of the soul ensures its spiritual progress; through the fourteen stages mentioned earlier, culminating in its ascent to the final stage of 'Incorporeal Perfection' known as "Siddhatva'.
The Monastic Vows And Associated Psychic Dispositions -
The five monastic vows that are known as great vows for their stringent provisions are observed by the exclusion of any sinful activity by three means - mind, body and speech as well as three methods - doing, ordering or approving. They are the same as the five vows of the householders except that they are observed totally flawlessly and absolutely strictly. They accept these vows for life and observe them with utmost care as long as they live.
The five great vows and corresponding psychic dispositions that enhance their effectiveness are as follows: - 1. The First Great Vow : Prānātipāta Viramana Vrat (Renunciation Of All Kinds Of Violence) -
All ascetics – monks and nuns – take the vow not to kill or hurt any living being in any manner, nor to get them killed or hurt by others nor to approve of such killing or hurting by others. They avoid all forms of violence – physical, mental or vocal in all possible ways. In doing so they take care not to infringe upon any of the ten types of vitality of any fine or gross, movable or immovable, one sensed through five sensed, intelligent or unintelligent, developed or undeveloped living being. For observing such stringent non-violence they are known as the friends and protectors of all living beings. Thus, they inhibit the most potent source of karmic influx and bondage. This is the most important of the five vows taken by the ascetics and all their practices and dispositions are geared to promote this single
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