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Teachings of Mahāvīra
zealous monk should prevent his mind cherishing evil desires, etc. These are the Samitis for the practice of the religious life and Guptis for the prevention of everything sinful.1
139.
THE CORRECT BEHAVIOUR OF MONKS DURING THE SEVERAL PARTS OF DAY AND NIGHT
"The correct behaviour of monks consists of the following: Avasyika is required when a monk leaves a room; Naishedhiki on entering a place; Apṛichchhanā or asking the Superior's permission for what he is to do himself; Pratipṛichchhana, for what somebody else is to do; Chhandanā or placing at the disposal of other monks the things one has got; Ichchhākāra in the execution of one's intention by oneself or somebody else; Mithyākāra in blaming oneself for sins committed; Tathākāra in assenting to make a promise; Abhyutthāna in serving those who deserve respect, and Upasampad in placing oneself under another teacher.
After sunrise during the first quarter of the first Paurushi (the fourth part of a day or a night), a monk should inspect and clean his things and pay his respects to his superior. He should ask him with folded hands: what shall I do now? If he is ordered to do some work, he should do it ungrudgingly. A clever monk should divide a day into four equal parts, and fulfil his duties in all the four parts. In the first Paurushi, he should study; in the second he should meditate; in the third, he should go on his begging-tour; and in the fourth, he should study again. The Paurushi increases or decreases a digit (equal to five minutes) every week, two digits every fortnight, and four digits every month. A clever monk should divide the night into four parts and do his duties in all the four parts. In the first Paurushi, he should study; in the second, he should meditate; in the third, he should sleep and in the fourth, he should study again. When a small part of the quarter is left in which the leading star is seen, a monk should watch.
In the first quarter of the first Paurushi, he should inspect his things, pay his respect to his superior, then begin his study not allowing himself to be affected by any pain. In the last
1. Uttara, XXIV.
