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Lord Mahâvîra as Reflected in Buddhist Sources
broom made of peacock feathers and a water-pot made of wood for using after answering calls of nature. He sleeps either on the bare ground or on a plank of wood. He never uses blankets and the like, even during the cold season. He is not supposed even to touch money.
A Jaina ascetic takes his meal and water once a day between about 9.00 A.M. and 12.00 Noon. He eats out of his own palms in a standing position. The concept behind this rule is to abstain from all botherations and mundane affairs. The food should be pure in nine ways (Navakoti-parisuddham).44 The faults pertaining to the improper begging of food are generally grouped into four, viz. Udgama (preparation of food), Utpadana (the ways of adopting food), Esana (the method of accepting food), and Paribhoga (way of eating food, its quantity etc.).45 The main purpose of eating is to gain physical strength adequate for the purpose of performing religious duties.
Some of these ascetic practices which were prevalent at that time among Samanas and Brahmanas are referred to by the name of Acela Kassapa.46 The same practices are said to have been practised by the Buddha himself before he attained enlightenment.47 Out of these practices, several are reminiscent of the eight aforesaid faults pertaining to food prescribed for Jaina monks.48 The fundamentals of moral discipline consist of the twenty-eight Mulagunas, the Uttaragunas, five-fold Acaras, the twelve Anuprekasa or reflections, the twelve-fold penance or Tapas, ten kinds of Vaiyavrttis, and the twenty-two kinds of Parisahas. The Pali literature possesses some very important references regarding to supernatural powers, daily routine, and observation Mahavratas, Samitis, Kesaluncana, Triguptis, Mulagunas, and Acclakatva etc. observed by Niganthas.
Yoga connotes the spiritual and religious activities that lead to Nirvana, the complete annihilation of all karmas. It is Dhyana (meditation) which carries an object to attain Samyagdarsana. It is of four types, namely Pindastha, Padastha, Rupastha and Rupatita.
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This is the brief survey of the spiritual disciplene and practices of Jaina lay adherents and mendicants on the basis of pali literature. Prohibition of night-eating, drinking the filtered water, worship of true God or Tirthankaras, observance of non- violence
