Nyayavatara

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Sanskrit Book Depot P Ltd

Page 14

(xiv)
formulated certain vows (vratas) for that. These are : pañca mahāvrata (five great vows), pañca anuvrata (five small vows), tri-guņa vrata (three good qualities) and four śikṣāvratas (four educational vows). Of these the first five vratas are mainly and strictly to be observed by the monks while the rest are mainly meant for the laity. The five mahāvratas are---(1) ahimsā (abstain from killing, (2) asatya (abstain from telling lies), (3) acaurya (abstain from stealing), (4) abrahmacarya (abstain from sexual intercourse), and (5) aparigraha (to renounce all interest in worldly things, and not to keep any property). For a monk many rules have been laid down, which aim at preventing the destruction of the life of any living whatsoever. But for a layman these vows are also applicable, but in a less rigorous way. A layman may, for a limited time, follow a rigorous practice, but that is to regulate his conduct. But a monk on entering the order (dikşā), should practise these vows rigorously. To effectuate them, more regulations are required, and these constitute the disciplin of the monk. These are-three guptis (i.e. guarding of body, speech, and mind) and five samitis (i.e. a monk must be cautious in walking, speaking, collecting alms, taking up or putting down things, and voiding the body). Besides these, a monk should practise other conduct, such as, kşamā (forgiveness), mārdava (modesty), ārjava (simplicity), nirlobhatā (not to be greedy), akiñcanatā (to consider worldly things insignificant), satya (to speak the truth), tapasyā (penance), śauca (purity) and brahmacarya (abstain from any sexual desire). On the whole, there are innumerable vows laid down for a monk who wants to attain salvation (mokşa) which is the ultimate object of a monk.
In conclusion, it can be said that Jaina religion is mainly a monastic religion, full of vows and penances, required for a monk as well as for a laity to keep them away from killing of any kind of living beings. Life is very much respected by the Jains. Character has also been given a great prominence, and to control mind from every sphere of life is highly eulogised. The Jains believe that if anybody follows truly their code of conduct, there will be no violence (himsā) in the world and a permanent bliss will pervade throughout the world. It is not the Jains who alone will follow their doctrines, but all the citizens of the world. The Jains also believe that if the peoples of the world can understand Jaina religion as such, then we shall be able to broaden our visions for our future life, to fasten our fraternal ties with our neighbours, to strengthen our minds with a new