Spiritual Code and Restraints

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 47

Atichar that a layman is supposed to atone for. Shrävak Pratikraman Sutra specifies such transgressions as under.
Gamanassa Ya Parimane Disasu Uddham Ahe A Tiriyan Cha
Vuddhi Sai Anatraddha Padhamammi Gunavvaye Ninde
It means that I abhor the transgressions pertaining to the first auxiliary restraint. They are in respect of crossing the limitations in straight directions, upward and downward directions, oblique directions, extending in one direction by adjustments in other directions and crossing the limitation by oversight. It would be seen that in order to maintain parity with other restraints, only five transgressions have been specified for this restraint as well.
Before concluding, let us examine the significance of this restraint in our life in America. We, Indo-Americans have close ties with the people in India. There, we have some of our close relatives, intimate friends etc. Many of us have also investment and other financial stakes there. India also happens to be the abode of our heritage. Our ties with India are unbreakable and it continues to play the role of our mother country. We have therefore to continue our dealings there. As such, we cannot lay any geographical limitations that would exclude the dealings with India. Now, if we lay our limitation within a circular area with Chicago as the center and distance from Chicago to Chennai (Madras) as radius, that would practically cover the whole world except Southeast Asia, Far East, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and some parts of Africa and S. America. In other words, it would almost be impossible to lay uniform distance limitations on our dealings. This, in no way, means that this restraint is only of academic interest to us. Since the purpose of this restraint is to curtail activities to the extent possible, we can lay different distance limitations in different directions. We can also lay country wise limitations.
Chapter 13
BHOGOPABHOG VIRMAN Restraints on availing durable and consumable objects
Vajjanamanantatgumbari Achchanganam Cha Bhogao Mänam Kammayao Kharakammaiyana Avaram iyam Bhaniyam
--- Samansuttam (Giving up multi-organic foods like roots and multi-seeded berries as well as nonvegetarian produce and also the highly violent vocations is known as
Bhogopabhogviraman Vrat)
In this chapter we want to deal with the second Gunvrat, which is the seventh restraint known as Bhogopabhog Virman. The term Bhogopabhog is a compound word of Bhog and Upabhog. Both of them deal with use or consumption. But the use of consumable