Spiritual Discipline and Practices in Jainism

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

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balapanditamarana. The death of avirata samyagdrsti, mithyadrsti, samyagcaritredhari munis, Tirthankaras and desavarati sravakas is mentioned as their respective examples.
Sallekhana and samadhimarana are synonymatic words. The utmost, middle and lower period of sallekhana is 12 years, one year and six months respectively. It should be observed through ayambila tapa, internal and external tapas, renunciation of worldly affairs, forgiveness, alocana, pratikramana, dhyana etc. with the view to attain purification of
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There are five transgressions of sallekhana, viz. i) desire for long life, : ii) desire for speedy death in order to eacape from pain suffering, iii) recollection of affection for friends, iv) recollection of pleasures enjoyed in former times, and v) constant longing for enjoyment).
This is an important and interesting feature of a Jaina house holder and spiritual aspirant's vows. Some scholars are of opinion that sallekhana is a sort of suicide, since there is voluntary severance of life etc. but this is not correct, as there is no passion. A person who kills himself by means of passion, weapon etc. swayed by attachment, aversion or infatuation etc. commits suicide. But he who practises holy death is free from desire, anger, and delusion. Hence it is not suicide. This is called sallekhana in Jain terminology which means to make the body and the passion thin.
In modern days it is named "Euthanasia" or "Right to die". This has come into light the world over and has become a subject of debate because of the revolutionary changes in medical knowledge and life-supporting systems which could prolong human life even after the brain stopped functioning. The practice has been accepted in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and some other countries. Even the Vatican has accepted it in one case. The Karnataka advocate General Santosh Hegde from India has supported the view by referring to all these instances and said Acaray Vinoba Bhava had reportedly been allowed to refuse food and medicines during the last few days of his life so that he could die a quick death.102 The Mahabharata (Adiparva) refers to five types of marana, viz. Kalpaprapta, aniscita, pramada icchita, and vidhi, and Japanese Buddhism approves it as Harakiri. It is still today in practice in Jain society. Jainacarya
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Shri Vijyanand Suri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth