Jains in India and Abroad

Author(s): Prakash C Jain
Publisher: International Summer School for Jain Studies

Page 47

period 1994-2003. The study suggests (i) that compared to Digambaras (26%), about three times more (74%) Shvetambar Jains practice santhara; (ii) that overall householders, both males and females, embrace the vow of voluntary peaceful death in much greater number than their ascetic counterparts (p. 263); (iii) that within the Digambar tradition the practice was found to be fivetimes less prevalent among the householders (4.3%) than among the ascetics (22.3%). The situation was found to be reverse in Shvetambar Jainism with 62.3% householders and only 11.1% ascetics practicing santhara. The incidences of voluntary peaceful death were reported more from the urban areas (62.9%) than from the rural areas (37.1%). The study further suggests that maximum number of such incidences take place in the 61-90 years age-group with average age of the practitioners being 77 years. Old age and/or incurable disease was found to be the main cause of death. The overwhelming majority of people took the vow of santhara when they were fully conscious and remained on the death-bed for more than one day (p. 267).
Eleven Stages (Pratimas) Shravaka-Pratimas consisting of eleven steps plan chart out the course of spiritual journey prescribed for the householders. Each step like a rung in the ladder progressively leads to the higher stage of spiritual progress. These are briefly presented below.
1. Darsana Pratima: At this first stage the householder is required
to observe all the practical aspects of the Right Belief. He is also supposed to have given up eating meat, wine and honey and five udumbara fruits. Hunting, gambling, prostitution and adultery
are strictly prohibited. 2. Vrata Pratima: The householder is required to observe without
transgression the twelve vows discussed earlier. 3. Samayika Pratima: It consists of self-contemplation and
meditation in general for fortyeight minutes, three times daily so that one could concentrate on spiritual values, and purify one's
ideas and mind. 4. Prosadhopavasa Pratima: It involves regular fasting twice a
fortnight in each lunar month, accompanied by meditation, hearing of religious discourse and study of scriptures.
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