Society Epistemology And Logic In Indian Tradition

Author(s): Dharmchand Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharati Academy

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Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
of religion of conduct (căritra-dharma) and (x) Properties of extensive substances (astikaya-dharma). Out of these ten dharmas first seven are completely related to the society. Except for the Sthānāngasūtra we do not find such description of dharmas in Jaina canonical literature. This division of ten dharmas seems a later addition to the Sthānangasūtra, but it has established the importance of these sectors of work for a smooth social life. Duties pertaining to grāma, nagara etc. also need the purity of mind, speech and activities of a person.
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Description of polite conduct (vinaya) or of a disciple towards his teacher has been described elaborately in Jaina literature. Polite conduct is a symbol of educated society.
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There is a concept of rendering services to others (veyāvacce or vaiyāvṛtya) in Jain canonical literature. It is a service rendered by a monk to another monk, reverend saint, a gana or sangha. Jaina canonical literature considers it as a penance, which is a means of dissociation (nirjarā) of old karmas. Vyavahārasūtra (uddeśaka 10) mentions ten types of service:
1. Service rendered to a preceptor of the order (ācārya-vaiyāvṛtya)
2. Service rendered to a religious teacher of the order (upadhyāya-vaiyāvṛtya)
3. Service rendered to an aged monk, a senior monk or learned monk (sthavira-vaiyāvṛtya)
4. Service rendered to a monk practicing penance (tapasvīvaiyāvṛtya)
"For example, see Utt chapter 1.