Mahanisiha Studies And Edition In Germany

Author(s): Chandrabhal Tripathi
Publisher: Chandrabhal Tripathi

Page 33

MAHĀNISĪHA STUDIES AND EDITION IN GERMANY
33
Sec.3c, vss.82*-86*. A properly performed repentance destroys the sinful act, as the sun causes the snow ("Schnee") to melt.
Sec.3d, vss.87*-92*. Before whom one should perform alocanā, the first act of repentance? Answer: Firstly the Kevalin-s are the most suited ones; in their absence, the following can serially be regarded as proper: those who have attained the fourfold knowledge, then the monks on lower levels of knowledge.
Sec.3e, vss.93*-106*. The increase of penance in cases of different sins, mainly sexual acts. A nun looses her capacity for true knowledge (bodhi) completely after third intercourse.
Sec.3f-g, vss. 107*-114*. Even a layman, who is faithful to his wife, does not go beyond the existence of a god of middle range in his next birth. (Sec.3g) The reason for this, says Mahāvīra, is that all sexual activity, with one's own wife or with any other woman, means papa.
Sec.3h, vss. 115*-119*. Legend of the nun Meghamālā, who, during the time of the Tīrthankara Vāsupūjya, did not declare a small sin: she had namely passed over a house during her begging tour on account of considerations of food. Hence she falls down in the first hell. In vss.120*-126* general advice not to break vows.
Sec.4, vss.127*-151*. One should live only in the Giyattha-vihāra, i.e. the company of learned and experienced monks, at the most in Giyattha-misaya. The term giyatthavihāra denotes the group of monks representing the ideal. A description of the giyatthavihāra which is full of general teachings of Mahāvira, perhaps to designate the programme which can serve to recognize the g.-v. At the injunction of a giyattha one can confidently eat poison, it will lead to salvation. Contrarywise, one should not at the behest of an a-giyattha eat even amsta, it will immediately turn into poison. One should under all circumstances leave the company of such an a-giyattha. In the concluding verse (vamśastha) the faithful performance of even the smallest vow is praised. It is this section which has supplied the title for the VIth chapter.
Sec.5, vss. 152*-199*. Legend of I s var a. After the nirvāņa of the First Tirthankara of an earlier series, a goddess appears to honour him, and there is a pratyeka-buddha (pr-b.) who is asked by a great congregation about his teacher and his ordination. Iśvara takes the answer of the pr-b. as a lie and