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SOME JAINA CANONICAL SUTRAS
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deserve to be called fools, are born again and again. The learned, wise, and steadfast hero will always be victorious in right faith. A saint with right intuition, who cherishes compassion for the world, should preach, spread and praise the faith, knowing the sacred law (vedavid). He should proclaim it among those who exert themselves, not neglecting tranquillity, indifference, patience, liberation, purity, uprightness, gentleness, and freedom from worldly cares. One should preach the law of the mendicants to all kinds of creatures. A man who exerts himself is of a steady mind without attachment, unmoved by passion; having no worldly desires he should live the life of an ascetic. The noble ones having impartially preached the law, those who are awakened, should not wish for pleasure. One who is free from passions is self-controlled, knowing birth in the upper and nether regions. One who is free from desire, cherishes piety.
The first great vow of the Jains is abstinence from killing living beings. A Jain is careful in his walk. He searches into his mind and speech. He is careful in laying down his utensils of begging. He eats and drinks after proper inspection. The second great vow is avoidance of falsehood.2 A Jain speaks after deliberation. He comprehends and renounces anger, greed, fear, and mirth. The third great Vow is avoidance of theft.3 A Jain begs after deliberation for a limited space. He consumes his food and drink with the permission of his superior. He who has taken possession of some space should always take possession of a limited part of it and for a fixed time. He should constantly have his grant renewed. He may beg for a limited ground from his co-religionists after deliberation. The next vow is avoidance of sensual pleasures. He should not continually discuss topics relating to women. He should not eat and drink too much. He should not drink liquor or eat highly seasoned dishes. 6 He should not occupy a bed or a couch belonging to The last great vow is freedom from possessions."
women.
thing as sacrifice, etc. (Cf. Saleyyaka Sutta, Majjhima, I, pp. 285ff.) There cannot be right faith unless there is a clear pre-perception of the moral, intellectual or spiritual situation which is going to arise. Right faith is that form of faith which is only a stepping stone to knowledge (paññā). It is the faith, or conviction acquired by a Buddhist stream-attainer (sotapanna) who is sure to reach the goal.
1 Cf. the first precept of the Buddhists, pāṇātīpātā-veramani.
2 Cf. Musāvādā-veramani of the Buddhists.
3 Cf. Adinnadana-veramani.
4 This is known in Theravada Buddhism as niganthuposatho, Anguttara,
I, 205.
5 Cf. Buddhist Abrahmacariyā-veramaṇī.
6 Cf. Sürümerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānāveramani.
7 Cf. Buddhist Jataruparajatapatiggahana veramaṇī.
