Spiritual Discipline and Practices in Jainism

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

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is also included into kayaklesatapa. It is inevitable for ascetics with the view to have adinata, nisparigrahata, vairagya and parisaha. 18
Acelakata of nakedness is a requisite characteristic of the ascetics. Mahavira is called Nigantha Nataputts in the Pali literature. It reveals the qualities such as tyaga, akincanya, samyama, laghavata, nirmalata, nirbhayata etc.'19 The Svetambara tradition, though agrees and pays an honour to the nakedness, does not make it requisite. This is the result of the later development. It allowed afterwards the mukhavastrika, avamacelae (a piece of cloth), padakambala rajoharana, patra, pitha, patrabandha, patrasthapana, phalaka, sayya, samstaraka, patrapramarjanika, patals, rajastrana, colapattaka etc.
Self-restraint or discipline is the conduct which is direct cause of liberation. It is of five types, viz. 1. samayika (equanimity), 2. Chedopasthapana (reinitiation) or reinstalation in his vows, according to rules. It removes the mental impurity, after committing any violation of rules, iii) pariharavisuddhi is purity of conduct or refraining from injury. iv) Sukamasamparays is a conduct with slight passion, and v) Yathakhyata caritra connotes the perfect conduct, which is the nature of the self. This may be said as the five gradual stages of spiritual development in realizing and achieving the nature of the self (atma). 2
Self control over physical, mental and vocal activities and vigilance in conduct like moving, speaking, taking and keeping food and evacuating bowels are the essentials for a Jaina monk. These essentials protect him from sin. He is also expected to be free from impure thoughts, impure talking and impure and violent actions, constant vigilance in behaviour cultivates in him ten cardinal qualities like forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, contentment, truth, restraint, penance, renunciation, detachment and celibacy. 122
In this respect we should also understand the penance or religious austerity which is a chief cause of stoppage of influx and dissociation of karmas. It is of course self-imposed. Tapa is of two types, namely bahyatapa (external penance) and abhyantara tapa (internal penance).
yatapa is of six types, viz. anasana (fasting) avamaudarya (reduced diet), vrttiparisankhyana (special restrictions for begging food), rasaparityaga (giving up stimulating and delicious dishes), viviktasayyasana (lonely habitation), and kayakless (mortification of body).
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