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Physical Self-control (Kāya–gupti) –
To refrain from physical preparation and execution of deeds harmful to the others is to observe physical self-control or Kaya-gupti. This is evident in refraining from thoughtless activities, unnecessary movements; sitting, standing and sleeping carelessly and in refraining from inauspicious activities. The direct outcome of physical self-control is achievement of karmic stoppage. Actually, physical self-ontrol is the stepping stone to the vocal and mental self-control.
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The way to achieve physical self-control is to develop a spiritual outlook. Unless we stop concentrating on physicality and sensory pleasures we cannot expect to control the physical self. The Jaina concept of duality of body and soul is an effective tool to achieve physical self-control and thereby the vocal and the mental self-controls as well.
The vigilance and restraint, Samiti and Gupti, or eight mothers of monastic spiritual wisdom (Asta Pravacana—mātā) are the means of ensuring the purity and rightness of the monastic conduct. In the words of Śivarya in Bhagavatī–ārādhanā, “Samiti and Gupti protect the right-belief, right-knowledge and rightconduct of the ascetics in the same way as the mothers protect their children.
Conclusion
Right-conduct is an inescapable requirement for the aspirants of liberation from the mundane miseries and gaining of eternal bliss. This chapter brought out, in sufficient details, the right conduct for the members of the monastic order in all their glories.
However, as the taste of the pudding lies in eating it, the gains to be gained from these conducts can also be gained only by practising them and not by merely reading about them.
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302: JAINISM: THE CREED FOR ALL TIMES
