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Teachings of Mahāvīra
133
A monk should remain undisturbed even if bitten by insects. He should not scare them away nor keep them off. He should not kill living beings. Nor should he entertain such thoughts : “My clothes are torn, I shall go naked or else I, shall get a new suit." A houseless and poor monk, who wanders from village to village, should endure the hardships of an ascetic life. He should wander about free from sins and perfectly passionless. He knows that worldly men have a natural liking for women. Knowing this, he renounces women and easily performs his duties as a perfect monk.
A monk should acquire no property. He should sit down above in a burial place, or in a deserted town, or under a tree. Sitting there, he should brave all dangers. A monk, who does penances and is strong in self-control, will not be effected beyond measure by good or bad lodgings. If a layman abuses a monk, he should not be angry with him. If a monk hears bad words, he should silently overlook them and should not take them to heart. He should not be angry if beaten. He should not entertain sinful thoughts. He should mcditate on the law. He should beg food from a householder when his dinner is ready. A monk who thinks thus, "I get nothing today, perhaps I shall get something tomorrow", will not be grieved by his want of success.
If a monk suffers pain or falls sick, he should cheerfully make his mind stcady and bear the evils that attack him. He will be a true monk if he continues to scarch for the welfare of his soul. If a naked ascctic lies on the grass, his body will be hurt. Even then he will not usc clothes. I wise monk should not lament the loss of comfort. He should overcome all difficulties while waiting for the destruction of his liarmo. By practising the noble and excellent Law, he should carry the filth on his body till hc expires. He should not cvince any predilection for one who salutes him or rises from his seat on his approach or invites him to accept nlns in his house. He should not think thus : “There is no life to come nor an exalied statc to be acquired by penances."
Amonk should know what alms may be accepice and 1. Urarů. II, 1-44.
