Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 73

(70) Pristine Jainism
There is difference of degree and not of kind in the practice by householders and saints. There are some relaxations for householders whereas for saints the practice of vows is rigorous without any relaxation. Accordingly these are defined as Aņuvratas (Milder form) for householders and Mahāvratas (Rigorous form) for saints. Ācārya Samantabhadra has defined Aņuvratas in treatise Ratnakarandaśrāvakācāra in the following stanza;
प्राणातिपातवितथ व्याहारस्तेयकाम मूछेभ्यः । स्थूलेभ्यः पापेभ्यो, व्युपरमणुव्रतं भवति ।
Ratnakaranda-śrāvakācāra-52
It means that a house-holder observing five vows should not commit five sins namely violence, falsehood, theft, hoarding, reckless consumption of material things and indulgence in sex as much as possible and intentionally. For example a person is walking, lifting and placing things and doing any activity viz. business, cultivation etc carefully with all possible caution and still some harm is done to any life form because a householder can not abnegate these totally. If some rogue or barbarian attacks him, his family property or religious places he has to fight and in the process if attacker is killed, such violence can not be avoided by householder. Rşabhadeva taught six professions to house holders for livelihood and these are warfare (Asi), writing skills (Masi), agriculture ( Krşı), knowledge (Vidyā), business (Vānijya), and art (Śilpa). It is important to note that warfare is first in priority, History is replete with glories of innumerable Jaina warriors. It is most unfortunate that in course of time Jains have forgotten the very necessity of defence and are at the mercy of others for protection. Jains more often than not remain mute spectators of theft of idols from temples, encroachments and destruction of religious complexes, atrocities on self, family and community. Numerous Jaina temples have been converted into places of worship of other sects. It is high time Jains recollect the preachings of first enlightened