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Teachings of Mahavira
The first great vow of the Jaina is abstinence from killing living beings. In thoughts, words and acts, he should do nothing injurious to beings who people the world, whether they move or not.1 A Jaina is wary in his walk. He searches into his mind and speech. He is careful in laying down his utensils of begging. He eats and drinks after proper inspection.
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The visible effect of Ahimsa was sought to be proved by a practical demonstration. Already in Mahavira's time, the righteous kings of India made it a point of duty to vouchsafe lawful protection to all forms of life within the sacred precincts of a religious establishment. This principle of causing no harm to any being had a salutary effect on man's habitual diet. Those who came under the influence of Mahāvira's personality and teaching gave up the eating of meat and fish for good, and adhered to a strictly vegetarian diet.
The second great vow is the avoidance of falsehood. A Jaina speaks after deliberation. He comprehends and renounces anger, greed, fear, and mirth. The third great vow is the avoidance of theft. A Jaina begs after deliberation for a limited space. He consumes his food and drink with the permission of his superiors. A Jaina who has taken.possession of some space should always take possession of a limited part of it and for a fixed time. He should constantly have his grant renewed. He may beg for a limited ground for his coreligionists after deliberation.
The next vow is the avoidance of sexual pleasure. A Jaina should desist from continually discussing topics relating to women. He should not regard and contemplate the lovely forms of women. He should not recall to his mind the pleasures and amusements he formally had with women. He should not eat and drink too much. He should not drink liquor or cat highly seasoned food. He should not occupy a bed or a couch belonging to women.
The last great vow is freedom from possessions. If a living being with his ears open hears agreeable or disagreeable
1. Uttara, VIII, 10.
2. Majih, II, p. 101, etc.
