Narrative Tale in Jain Literature

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Asiatic Society

Page 62

NARRATIVE TALE IN JAIN LITERATURE
the posaha abstinences; viz., using an unexamined or badly examined bed for sleeping, using an unwiped or badly wiped bed for sleeping, using an unexamined or badly examined spot for easing nature, using an unwiped or badly wiped spot for easing nature, and imperfect observance of the posaha abstinences.
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56. Next a disciple of the Samaņa must know and avoid the following five typical offences against the law of right distribution of alms; viz., putting away among living things, covering up with living things neglecting the appointed time, making a pretence of others, and acting from jealousy.
57. Next he must know and avoid the following five offences against the law of a determined self-mortification by the last mortal emaceration; viz., longing after this world, longing after the next world, longing after life, longing after death, and longing after sensual enjoyments.
58. Then the householder Aṇanda, in the presence of the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra, took on himself the twelvefold law of a householder, consisting of the five lesser vows and the seven disciplinary vows; and having done so, he praised and worshipped the Samana, the blessed mahāvira, and then spake to him thus: "Truly, Reverend Sir, it does not befit me, from this day forward, to praise and worship any man of the heterodox community, or any of the devas of a heterodox community, or any of the objects of reverence of a heterodox community; or without being first addressed by them, to address them or converse with them; or to give them or supply them with food or drink or delicacies or relishes; except it be by the command of the king, or by the command of the priesthood, or by the command of any powerful man, or by the command of a deva, or by the order of one's elders, or by the exigencies of living. On the other hand it behoves me to devote myself to proving the Samaņas of the Niggantha faith with pure and acceptable food, drink, delicacies and relishes, with clothes, blankets, alms-bowls and brooms with stool, plank and bedding, and with spices and medicines." To the above effect he made a formal promise; and having done so, he asked various questions and accepted the replies given; and then he respectfully took leave of the Samana, the blessed Mahāvīra; and having done so, he went away again