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NIRJARĀ
53
practising of equanimity, charity and self-denial-he should be ever filled with enthusiasm and eagerness !
The thirty-five rules of good conduct enjoined on a Jaina householder are fully described in Mr. Warren's Jainism,' and may be summed up as follows:
“He should earn his livelihood by honesty, and follow some kind of business which should not be of an ignoble or degrading nature. He should not undertake to do more than he can perform. The layman should marry to avoid promiscuous indulgence. He should not commit any offence, and avoid deeds which have evil consequences. He should respect wisdom and admire the wise. He should control his desires and passions. He should not live in dangerous or infected places, nor in a country where there is no adequate protection of life or property. He should walk in the footsteps of the wise and the spiritually advanced, and should not keep the company of bad persons. He should not build his house in a place altogether open or too much concealed. He should dress himself simply, and his expenses should be in proportion to his income. He should follow the customs of the locality where he resides, unless they involve a violation of the rules of dharma (religion). He should not eat such things as meat, nor take to intoxicants. He should not slander anybody, especially the king. He should respect his parents, and avoid giving offence to others by his actions, maintaining and preserving those dependent on him. He should live peacefully, respecting and serving the Tirthamkara, the Preceptor, the guest and the deserving poor, and observing moderation in all things. He should sympathise with all, but avoid too much intimacy with any. With regard to the four objects of life-dharma (virtue), artha (wealth), kāma (pleasure) and moksha (salvation)-he should never allow the higher to be sacrificed for the sake of a lower one. He should daily read the Scripture and observe the rules of life, excelling in right conduct and aspiring to rise higher and higher every day. He should avoid obstinacy and develop a partiality for virtue. His attitude towards religion, philosophy, opinions and beliefs should be that of a critical student, and he should try to solve all the doubts that arise in his own mind."
