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PRABUDDH JEEVAN
JUNE 2015
JAIN LAITY OR HOUSEHOLDERS (SHRAVAKAS AND SHRAVIKAS)
ENLIGHTEN YOURSELF BY SELF STUDY OF JAINOLOGY
LESSON-6 (2) DR. KAMINI GOGRI
Monks and nuns are very keen about the uplift of less sins. Four Disciplinary Vows (Shikshä-vratas): 09 their souls and hence they sacrifice all worldly enjoy- Sämäyika Vrata - Meditation vow of limited duration ments and family relationships, and adopt the five great 10 Desävakäsika Vrata - Activity vow of limiting space, Vows (Mahä-vratas). For those who want to remain in 11 Paushadha Vrata - Ascetic's life vow of limited dufamily life, the complete avoidence of the five principle ration, 12 Atithi Samvibhäg Vrata - Charity vow sins are difficult. For them Jain ethic specifies the fol- Five Main Vows of Limited Nature (Anuvratas) lowing twelve vows to be carried out by the house- 1. Non-violence Limited vow (Ahinsä Anuvrata). In holders. Of these twelve vows, the first five are main this vow, a person must not intentionally hurt any living vows of limited nature (Anuvratas). They are some- being (plants, animals, human etc.) or their feelings eiwhat easier in comparision with great vows (Mahä- ther by thought, word or deed by himself or through vratas). The great vows are for the ascetics. The next others, or by approving such an act committed by somethree vows are known as merit vows (Guna-Vratas), body else. Intention in this case applies to selfish moso called because they enhance and purify the effect tives, sheer pleasure, and even avoidable negligence. of the five main vows and raise value manyfold. It also A person may use force, if necessary, in the defense of governs the external conduct of an individual. The last his country, society, family, life, property, and religious four are called disciplinary vows (Shikshä-vratas). They institute. His agricultural, industrial, occupational living are intended to encourage the person in the perfor- activities do also involve injury to life, but it should be mance of their religious duties. They reflect the purity as minimum as possible, through being careful and of one's heart. They govern one's internal life and are using due precaution. In Jain scripture the nature of expressed in a life marked by charity. They are prepa- violence is classified in four categories: Premeditated ratory to the discipline of ascetic's life. The Three merit Violence: To attack someone knowingly. Defensive Viovows (Gunavrata) and four disciplinary vows (Shikshä- lence: To commit intentional violence in defense of vratas) together are known as the seven vows fo virtu- one's own life. Vocational Violence: To incur violence ous conduct (Shilä). A person may adopt these vows, in the execution of one's means of livelihood. Common according to his individual capacity and circumstances Violence: To commit violence towards one sense livwith the intent to adopt ultimately as full or great vows. ing beings such as plants in the performance of daily The layperson should be very careful while observing activities. Premeditated violence is totally prohibited for and following these limited vows. These vows being all. A householder may not have a choice but to incur limited or restricted vows may still leave great scope violence defensively and vocationally provided he mainfor the commitment of sins and possession of prop- tains complete detachment. Common violence may be erty. The twelve vows are described as follows: Twelve unavoidable for survival, but even here, one should vows of Laity (Householders) Five Main Vows of Lim- minimize violence in all daily activities such as in preited Nature (Anuvratas): 01 Ahinsä Anuvrata - Non- paring food, cleaning house, etc. This explains the Jain's violence Limited Vow, 02 Satya Anuvrata - Truthfulness practices of filtering drinking water, vegetarianism, not Limited Vow, 03 Achaurya Anuvrata - Nonstealing Lim- eating meals at night, and abstainence from alcohol. ited Vow, 04 Brahmacharya Anuvrata - Chastity Lim- Nonviolence is the foundation of Jain ethics. Lord ited Vow, 05 Aparigraha Anuvrata - Non-attachment Mahavir says: 'One should not injure, subjugate, enLimited Vow. Three Merit Vows (Guna Vratas): 06 Dik slave, torture or kill any living being including animals, Vrata - Limited area of activity vow, 07 Bhoga Upbhoga insects, plants, and vegetation. This is the essence of Vrata -Limited use of consumable and non-consumble religion. It embraces the welfare of all living beings initems, 08 Anartha-danda Vrata - Avoidance of purpose- cluding animals, insects, vegetation etc. It is the basis
