Notes on Modern Jainism

Author(s): Mrs Sinclair Stevenson
Publisher: Oxford

Page 46

MODERN JAINISM.
Ten Duties of Monks or Nuns. There are ten duties, the Das'a Yatidharma (ERL4 ), binding on monks and nuns of all sects.
An ascetic must bear and forgive any injury inflicted 1. Ksama' $1311. on him.
He must be absolutely free from greed. He must not 2. Nirlobhata' covet new clothes even if in need of them,
eladi. but must wait till they are offered to him, and even then he must only accept those of which the giver has no further need.
He must be perfectly straightforward and never be 3. A'rjava 24. q. guilty of any kind of intrigue or fraud.
He must be absolutely humble, never proud of 4. Ma'rdaya his purity of life, his learning, or any
741€9. other virtue, and he must never speak a harsh word.
An ascetic must practise many austerities, which will 5. Tapa 14. all help to free him from rebirth.
These austerities are divided into Exterior and Interior. (i) There are Six Exterior Austerities. (a) Fasting ( Anas'ana a4d21d. ) A monk must
frequently fast, but the period for which he fasts may vary from one day to three months. During that time, besides water, he may only take the
watery part of skimmed milk. (6) Partial Fasting ( Unodari GoLE). Instead of a
total fast, an ascetic may vow to take only onehalf or a third of his usual amount of food.