Book Title: Jains Today in World
Author(s): Pirre Paul AMIEL
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Page 176
________________ Their Laymen and Laywomen : 135 time to start training to endure the hardships of ascetic life. The Svetāmbara call it "the step of renouncing worldly activities even done by others" (preśya-tyāga-pratimā). In other words, one should neither do these activities himself, nor get these done by some others. 10" the step of absolute detachment (anumati-tyāga-pratimā) This step is that where the Jain householder increases the mood of living as an ascetic. He (she) must absolutely give up professional activity, attachments to worldly possessions, involvement in family matters and should not express any feelings of like or dislike towards food served or consumed. 11h the step of perfect asceticism (anumati-tyāga-pratimā) The devotee is now at the highest religious level he (she) can reach. He (she) leaves the family house and retreats to an isolated area where he (she) lives by the rules of ascetic discipline never accepting invitation that might transgress his (her) way of life. Digambara ascetic wears now only two-piece of clothes- one upper and one lower or one piece of cloth. For the Svetāmbara, this is the tenth step followed by that of total asceticism" (śramaņa-bhūta-pratimā). The householder who wants to stop the inflow of new “karma” into his soul (samvara), to wash the “karma” accumulated in his present or previous lives (nirjară), and try to reach liberation, can progress step by step towards monastic asceticism. The main point is to follow the path of progress in a constant and unflagging manner according to Jain tradition. Once the last step (the highest) is reached, the layman or woman can ask to be admitted as monk or nun. If an Ācārya agrees, he (she) will receive formal initiation or consecration (dikṣā) with a special rite of which we will speak later. As novices, they study the rules for the ascetics, guided in their new way of life by a “guru' for the monks a Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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