Jains in India and Abroad

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

Page 48

5. Sachitta-tyaga Pratima: This pratima consists in abandoning the
use of animate items such as roots, fruits, seeds, etc. without getting them sterilized by boiling etc. One is also refrained from serving such food to others. A householder should also not trample upon any growing plant or pluck fruits from a tree.
6. Ratri-Bhojan Tyag Pratima: At this stage the householder is required to give up forever eating or drinking anything after sunset. To offer food and drinks to others at night is also prohibited.
7. Brahmacharya Pratima: At this stage the householder leads a life of absolute continence and gives up sexual gratification in any manner even with own spouse. It also includes avoidance of personal decorations.
8. Arambha-tyaga Pratima: This stage requires the householder to renounce all occupational activities agriculture, business, service, or profession.
9. Parigraha-tyaga Pratima. At this stage the householder is required to give up almost all the worldly possessions, except bare minimum necessary for the preparation of an ascetic life. 10. Anumati-Tyag Pratima: The householder in this stage refrains from showing any concern about family affairs. "He would not even express his agreement or disagreement, approval or disapproval in such matters. He is for all purposes an anchorite, or recluse, only that he is still living in the home with other members of his family" (Jain, J. P. 1983: 90).
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11. Uddista-tyag Pratima. At this stage the householder becomes a wandering monk after leaving his home. He lives in the forest or a lonely place in the company of an ascetic.
On attaining the eleventh stage the householder can choose to become either a "Kshullaka" or an "Ailaka" depending on his preference for dress and style of meal-taking, etc. Thus whereas the kshullaka uses a loincloth and an upper garment, the ailaka uses only a loin-cloth. The former applies instruments for cutting his hair, keeps a broom in place of a picchi, takes his meal once a day either in the palm of his hands or in some pot in a sitting posture, and observes fast on every parvan day. The latter pulls out his hair and takes his meals in the palm of his hands" (Bhargava 1968: 145).
34 Jains in India and Abroad