Positive Contents of jainism

Author(s): Joharimal Parikh
Publisher: Z_Parshvanath_Vidyapith_Swarna_Jayanti_Granth_012051.pdf

Page 10

Joharimal Parekh
positive one in the sense that it is carried out in such a manner that no new bondage is caused and at the same time old bondage is destroyed. 31 This special characteristic of tapa should be appreciated vis-a-vis Ahiṁsā and Saṁyama, both of which are not capable of destroying old bondage.
In order to evaluate the activity aspect of Tapa, it is necessary to know what it does mean and contain. Broadly speaking it consists of 12 items described below :
1. Anasana, i.e., fasting with various stipulations etc. as to time, number and others. It is tuff and in general parlance tapa has become synonymous with it.
2. Avamodirika, i.e., austerity and reduction in the level of consumption and forebearance thereof and limitation of wants in all manners.
3. Vrttisarksepa, i.e., aviodance of possession ( Parigraha ) and accumulations putting various ceilings on properties holding, earning etc.
4. Rasatyāga, i.e., avoiding interest in pleasures of all the five sense objects, viz., sound, sight, taste, smell and touch.
5. Kāyaklesa, i.e., penance and endurance of bodily pains, troubles, exposures, postures, sickness, vagaries of climate, insects etc. Śrama (physical exertion ) is also contemplated.
6. Sanlinatā, i.e., simple life with disciplined strict schedule and various vows like Brahmacarya, awakening and other biological control, vivikta sayanāsana etc.
7. Prāyaścita, i.e., repentence for all wrongs done in the past, disassociation of self from them and resolution to not to repeat them in future.
8. Vinaya, i.e., bhakti (Vandanā, Namaskāra, Respect, Pūjā, Prayer etc.) of Pañcaparamesthi (Tirtharkaras, Liberated, Preceptors, Teachers and Monks ) Sangha (Religious order — Church) and its members.
9. Svādhyāya, i.e., excercise in the field of knowledge like reading, hearing, learning, discussing, removing doubts, understanding, remembering, contemplating on it, teaching and preaching.
10. ( Prasasta ) Dhyāna, i.e., concentration on commendable objectives, i.e., Dharma and Sukladhyāna.
11. Kâyotsarga, i.e., practice in 'Bhedajñāna' as if taking self away from this body even no mineness or attachment towards it.