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Teachings of Mahavira
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his end comes. Only such a sage obtains absolute knowledge and reaches eternal beatitude, free from passions and sins, and without property and without egoism. BEGGING FOOD
A monk or a nun on a begging tour should not accept as alms whatever herbs he or she recognizes. Only such things should be accepted as are pure and acceptable. None should accept food which has been prepared for Brāhmaṇas, guests, beggars, etc.3 Nor should one accept food which does not belong to the giver.4 The monk and nun may accept food from noble families, distinguished families, and royal families.5 They should not, however, attend any festive entertainment. Nor should they accept food about which they have some doubts in their mind. A monk or a nun desirous of entering the abode of a householder should not do so when it is found 'that the milch cows are being milched, or the food is being cooked, and that it is not yet distributed."?
A monk or a nun on a begging tour should not accept fiattened grains, grains containing much chaff. He or she should not accept fossil salt or sea salt which is impure and unacceptable.' He or she should not accept food which has been prepared over the fire, for such food is impure and unacceptable.10 He or she should not accept food which has been placed on a post or on a roof or on a platform or some such clevated place.11 Hc or she should not accept food which is kept in an earthen ware.12 He or she should not accept food placed on the carth body, wind body or firc body, for such 1. Ullarā, XXI. 2. Ichâ, II, 1, 1, 3, 4, 3. Ibid, II, I, I, 12. 4. Ibid, 13. 5. Ibid. II, 1. II,?. 6. Ibid, 5. 7. Ibid, II, 1, 4.3. 8. Ibid, II, 1. 6, S. 9. Ibid, 9. 10. Ibid, 10. 11. Ibid, II, I, 7, 1. 12. Ibid, II, I, 7, 9.
