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1761
The Path of Arhat : A Religious Democracy
house-holder a liberalised code of conduct called 'Apuvrata' is prescribed. Apuvratas ( Minor vows ) are five in number -
(i) Minor vow of non-violence, i. e., abstinence from the killing and misbehaving of mobile living beings.
(ii) Minor vow of truthfulness, i. e., abstinence from saying a lie to fulfil one's vested interest.
(iii) Non-stealing.
(iv) Limiting one's sexual activities to one's own wife or to remain satisfied by one's own wife.
(v) Limiting one's own possessions.
(B) Three supplementary vows - However in order to keep a house-holder constantly on the track some supplementary vows are also prescribed. These are known as 'Guņavratas', which are three in number -
(i) Digvrata - 'Dig' means direction and ‘Vrata' means a vow. Thus Digvrata is a vow to carry out one's activity only within a restricted area.
(ii) Bhogopabhogaparimāņa -- 'Bhoga-Upabhoga' means sensual enjoyment of material things. This vow prescribed limitations regarding the enjoyment of material objects and these restrictions may also be with regard to the time and place when and where they may be enjoyed.
Both the above vows are intended to limit the worldly activities and the extent of the worldly enjoyments, if the total and absolute restriction is not possible.
(iii) Anarthadapda-viramana — This vow is meant to prevent one from indulgence in such acts which are not necessary. A house-holder has to undertake various types of activities. He cannot afford to put a stop to all activities, but using proper direction he can desist from certain acts such as :
(a) Inflicting bodily injuries or killing others ( Apadhyana ).
(b) Advising others to act in such a manner which results in sinful acts (Papopadeśa ).
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