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SOME JAINA CANONICAL SOTRAS
hear his preceptor getting up from his seat. A monk should not blame anybody in his absence. He should not use harsh language in the presence of another. A monk who neither blames nor disdains a young or old person, monk or householder, and abandons self-conceit and anger, is really a worthy one. A wise monk on hearing the excellent precepts of the worthy preceptors should move about devoted to the five vows, guarded in the three protections, and free from four passions, viz., anger, pride, deceit and avarice.
In the tenth or the concluding chapter the four items of spiritual ecstacy are the following: modesty as understood by the old monks-spiritual ecstacy from modesty, spiritual ecstacy from the study of scriptures, spiritual ecstacy from penances and spiritual ecstacy from conduct. Under spiritual ecstacy from modesty are found listening attentively to instructions, understanding the instructions thoroughly, conforming to spiritual learning and freedom from self-conceit. A monk should not practise penances for securing an interest in this world. He should do it for the destruction of his karmu. He should also observe the rules of conduct prescribed for the monks for stopping the influx of karma. He should remain in this world without property, gold and silver and must have right faith. A real monk is one who takes up a motionless position on the cremation ground, who is not afraid of any dreadful sight, who is absolutely regardless of the body, being devoted to the practice of penances. He is a real monk who knows birth and death to be real dangers and who exercises control over hands, feet, tongue and senses and knows the true meaning of the Holy Scriptures. He remains without greed, who does not care for his life, and remains steady and undeceitful. A characterless monk should not be respected. A real monk is not proud of caste, nor of form, nor of gain, nor of learning and who devotes himself to religious meditation.
A householder's life is attended with many troubles and sins. People certainly despise the fallen monk who is devoid of spiritual glory. A monk after having enjoyed much with a licentious mind and led a life which has no self-control, goes after death to a condition which cannot be described. A monk should try to avoid crowded places and places where he is likely to be insulted. He should try to have food or drink that is brought from a near place which is visible. He should not do service to householders. He should always think of himself in the first and last watches of the night. Self is always to be protected with all the senses kept well within bounds.
