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Vada ]
Nihnavavada D. C.
Sivabhati :-In what ways, are the garments and vessels useful to the practice of austerities?
Acārya :--A cotton or woollen piece of cloth protects the mendicant from cold. It protects the life of small creatures abo. unding in fire, grass and food. If a mendicant does not wear a garment, he lits up fire for the purpose of protecting himself from cold, and by doing so, he kills small insects abounding there-in.
On the other hand, if he has a piece of cloth to cover his body, he woulil prevent cold with it, without killing a single life.
Secondly, if an ascetic wears a garment, he is liable to pass the whole night in study and meditation without any hindrance by cold, dust, rain, and fog etc. He will also be able to save insects flocking round the lawp with his garment.
Thirdly, it has been laid down by the great preceptors that in covering or taking out a corpse, a white piece of cloth should be used. Such a piece of cloth is beneficial to sick persons also.
In this way, muhapatti and rajoharaņa are useful in the practice of austerity and the same should be preached by you wherever you go.
It has been said in the Kalpa-Bhāsya that Kappā ayappamāņā addhāi jjhāivitthada hattha | Do cèva sottiyā unniö ya taið muneyavvo. (1) Tanagabaņāņalasevānivaraņā dhammamsukkajjbánattbā Diţtham kappaggahaŋam gilāna-maraŋaçthayā ceva. (2) Sampāyamarayareņupamaijaŋatthā vayanti muhapattimi Nāsam ca muhamo ca bandhai tie vasabim pamajjanto, (3) Ayāṇe nikkbeve thāṇa nisīe suyapatta sankoei Puvvam pamajjaratthā lingațýbā cdva rayaharaṇam. (4)
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