Notes on Modern Jainism

Author(s): Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Oxford

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MODERN JAINISM.
At the ghāt the funeral pyre was built, its lowest layer of the wood of the pipal tree; on this sandal wood was arranged with cocoanuts on the top. On the pyre they placed the palanquin and its burden, and over both were scattered pieces of cotton wool dipped in clarified butter. A dozen men set fire to the palanquin in different places, the scattered cotton wool making it ignite quickly.
By the end of four hours the pyre was completely consumed, and the Jaina, leaving the ashes on the river bank, bathed, and donning the fresh clothes that had been brought to them from their homes, returned in a body to the men's Upāsaro, where they had to listen to a sermon and then to sit in the Kāusagga posture and meditate. When this was over they went to the women's Upāsaro, where the laywomen ( who could not go to the ghāt) and the nuns had been sitting all day meditating and listening to sermons; to these they offered their condolences, and then had to listen to yet another sermon on the transitoriness of life before seeking their homes. It was curious to notice that, though Hindu ascetics had taken part in the procession, no Jaina ascetics, male or female, were permitted to do so. The cost of this nun's funeral was about five hundred rupees, the palanquin alone costing two hundred. During the whole day business throughout the city was practically at a stand still, all the grain and vegetable markets and most of the other shops being closed.
Five Great Vows or Pancha Mahavrata.
Every ascetic must take the five great vows (412478190) which Mahāvira ordained. These vows, it will be noticed, resemble the Buddhist vows, but still more the ancient