Sambodhi 2012 Vol 35

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 51

Vol. XXXV, 2012
The Earliest Portions of Daśavaikālika-sutra
41
8. Ācārapranidhi
It is close in style to the preceding chapter even when its constitution occasionally differs. In verse 49 it refers to Ācāraprajñapti (possibly the Ācārānga Book I; alternatively, just a code of monastic discipline, a neutral connotation) and the Drşivāda (the doctrines and beliefs of other religious/ philosophical systems—drșis—which usually were looked upon as 'false' [mithyā]), of course from the Nirgrantha standpoint. In verse 50 it enjoins friars to refrain from making predictions on the basis of astrology (nakhatta), (prognosticative) interpretation of dreams (supina), yoga (joga), omenology (nimitta), magical incantations (manta, mantra), and medical practice (bhesaja, bhaisajya). In v. 51 it refers to lena (layana, a rock-cut cave), the monks being admonished not to preach with the motive of getting the one (from lay followers.) Although the material for some of the verses may have come from sources c. 3rd century B.C., the general impression of the style is of 2nd-1st century B.C. What is more, the injunctions of this chapter can hardly be said to apply to a friar of a minor age. 9. Vinaya-Samādhi
The chapter in general refers to the principles and rules of monastic conduct and discipline and within its parameters also to what the attitude of the disciples should be toward their teachers. The first uddeśa of the chapter is in 17 Trișubh stanzas, thus by its structure not contradicting the temporal bracket covering Mauryan period. The first, and the last two verses (22, 23), of the second uddeśa, likewise are in the Trisubh, the rest are in Anusubh or Sloka. Its verses 10 and 11 refer to devas, yaksas, and guhyakas, the latter class of semi-divine beings not figuring in the classification of the eight vyantaras or demi-gods of the later āgamas. Like in the Uddeśa 1 (5, 10), the term moksa also figures here (v. 2). The third uddeśa is in prose where ślokas are also interspersed, in some cases apparently as citations. In verse 12, the term Jina-vacana figures. The chapter, stylistically of the 3rd 1st century B.C., by virtue of its content and at places a heavy style, was meant for grown-up friars and hence not for Manaka. 10. Sabhikṣu
The 21 verses of this chapter, in general, talk about the undesirable activities and practices which a true recluse must avoid. Here the terms such as Nātaputta (for Mahāvīra), Buddhavacana (word of the Buddha, i.e. Jina), and also bhayabhairava-a term fairly common in early Buddhist texts as also