Spiritual Discipline and Practices in Jainism

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain
Publisher: Z_Vijyanandsuri_Swargarohan_Shatabdi_Granth_012023.pdf

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These are the eight basic restraints (mulagunas) which are to be followed by even an ordinary Jaina layman.
There is a difference of opinion amongst the Acaryas about the Mulagunas. The early Agamas do not specifically refer to the Mulagunas. Samantabhadra is perhaps the first who introduced them to the Sravakas, 22 who is supported by Sivakoti. They considered the Mulagunas in the form of five anuvratas and madya-mamsamadhu tyaga. Acarya Amrtacandra23 who is followed by Amitagati, Devasena, Rajamalla etc. replaced the anuvratas to udambara pancakas. Asadhara, though supported the view, considered some other types of Mulagunas, viz. aptanuti, daya, jalagalana, aratribhjana, udumbarapancakavirati, mamsavirati, madyavirati, and madhu virati.25 The Mulagunas have been discussed in detail in Jaina literature.
The Paksika Sravaka also takes a vow not to indulge in seven types of obnoxious habits (vyasanas) which make the life disasterous. They are, i) gambling and racing (dyuta), ii) meat- eating (mamsabhaksana), ii) alcoholic drink (madyapana), iv) prostitution (vedyavrtti), v) hunting (akheta), vi) stealing (carya), and vii) sexual intercourse with other's wife or husband (parastr/ purusagamana26). it may be mentioned here that the vyasanas are discussed clearly in this regard only by Digambara Acaryas like Amitagati, Vasunadi, Asadhara etc.
The Sravaka ponders over the consequences of man's indulgence in these vices. They are the cause of sin or demerit and those who are engaged in sinful activities are punished here by administrators and society members and are subjected to suffering in the next world. He also leads the life of a strict vegetarian,
Acaryas also discussed what is not fit to be eaten (abhaksyas). Haribhadra is perhaps the first who instructed under caturvidhahara not to take such food which contains the anantakays. He is elucidated by Nemicandra in his Pravacanasaroddhara where abhaksyas are classsified into 21 kinds, viz. five udumbaras, four banned vikrtis, hima (snow), visa, karaka, bahubija, mrd, ratrbhojana, anantakayas, gholavataka, sandhana, vrtaka, ajnata puspa-phala, tucchaphala, and calitarasa. He is then followed by Hemacandra, 24 Asadhara,29 Amitagati30 and other Acaryas. Amitagati discussed them under anarthadandavrata while Asadhara described them under Mulagunas. The anantakayika
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Shri Vijyanand Suri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth