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202 : śramaņa, Vol 58, No. 2-3/April-September 2007
चउहिं ठाणेहिं जीवा णेरइयत्ताए कम्मं पकरेंति तं जहा (8) HERH410 (3) HETTEYTT (3) fafc4aeui (8) SFUMIERU132
(3) Out of the 12 Precepts () in regard to the conduct of a Śrāvaka, the 7th enumerates the daily necessaries of his life and occupation. No mentions has been made in this about meat, eggs, wine etc. This goes to prove that Śrāvakas, too, abstained from these things. This statement is further confirmed by the fact narrated in Upăsakadaśānga Sūtra about the vows taken by Ānanda Śrāvaka in the presence of Lord Mahāvīra. In the same precept there are certain observances (Saar) prescribed.
अप्पोलिय-ओसहि-भक्खणयाए, दुप्पेलिय-ओसहि-भक्खणयाए.
(A Śrāvaka should not take corn-food half cooked or badly cooked). The word 'afs' in this connotes the corn such as Bājari, Juwār and the like.” This further confirms our notion that the Srāvakas were corn-eaters and not meat-eaters. Is it possible, therefore, that the religious sect who are corn-eaters themselves, may have amongst them the Supreme Soul and monks who may be meat-eaters?
4. The first sermon delivered by every Tīrthamkara after the attainment of Kevalajñāna runs as follows :- "The Tírtharkaras of the past, the present and the future all invariably say, "Keep away from killing 04107, 48471, siis and data (any and everything coming under the category of a life) and forbid and act of domination over a life, of causing life mental or physical torment or of causing to sever body and soul etc. 44" It is equally impossible that such Tīrthankaras would ever resort to meat-eating themselves or would suffer their followers to be meat-eaters.
Other arguments of the Critics (1) One of the arguments proffered in support of their statement is that in those days the Brahmins used to offer sacrifices of animals at the altars, the people at large used to offer the lives of animals for
