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

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Page 186
________________ Their Laymen and Laywomen : 145 For the Digambara, Ācārya Amitagati has given in his treatise "Śrāvakācăra", eleven qualities to practice. They are enumerated in Vilas Sangave's book "Aspects of Jaina Religion". Let us recall to memory: be possessed of honestly earned wealth, apprehensive of sin, following the reputable usages of the country, attached to good moral standards, always devoid of evil motives, compassionate, ready to render service, victorious over the organs of senses, devoid of lust, envy, deceit, anger, backbiting, meanness, vain glory, etc. Ācārya Hemacandra in his treatise “Yoga-śāstra" presents a longer list of thirty-five attributes of an ideal śrāvaka or śrāvikā. As one may observe, such exemplary rules of conduct make one see very rarely Jains in front of courts of justice in the different countries where they are living. Important precision, the fact for them to not follow or to follow no more the way taught by the Tirthankara make them they are considered by the community (samgha) as being by themselves excluded of it. On the contrary, the fact for a native non-Jain to follow, with sincerity and continuity, the way prescribed by the sacred books is judged as an excellent thing by the community of adepts. It is always with great esteem and sympathy that he (or she) is welcomed and considered by its members. We will see, in the next chapter, the main rites and cults, the principal venerations, religious festivals and ceremonies the Jain laity practice, in some cases with the assistance of ascetics or spiritual Masters, in other cases without their participation. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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