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STAGES OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
183 Degrees of Self-control
When there is perfect self-control, there is no question of degrees of self-control; but here in this 5th stage the person practises only a partial control over his sense pleasures, passions, emotions, desires, etc, and therefore the question arises as to what extent he practises such control. In this partial control three degrees may be considered :
(1) Lowest, (2) Middle,
(3) Highest. We will take each of these in their order in detail : Lowest Degree of partial Self-control
In the lowest degree of self-control in the samyaktva state the person would resolve and carry out the resolution not to destroy any living being having the power of locomotion, intentionally when it is not guilty, and without any special necessary cause.
He would give up meat-eating and liquor-drinking.
He would every now and then try to concentrate upon the five great personalities postulated by the Jaina philosophy. Middle degree of partial Self-control
1. In this middle degree of self-control the person may observe all the 35 rules of ordinary dharma previously given.
2. He performs six daily activities.
3. He observes the 12 rules of conduct, which may be called vows.
4. He would follow the path of rectitude; his conduct would be good.
Highest Degree of Partial Self-control
1. He would give up all kinds of food which are animated at the time of eating, such as raw fruit, raw vegetables, etc. : 2. He would eat only once a day (a Jaina eats only twice a day - or rather no Jaina eats more than twice a day, some eat only
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