Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 112

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PABBAJJA AND UPASÄMPADA As the Jaina Order was more particular about bodily purifi. cation, it admonished the mendicants to observe the five samitis, i. e., restraints as regards movement; speech; begging, receiving and returning of requisites; and the disposition of bodily excreta. Besides, they were also expected to practise three guptis, i. e., control over the mind, speech and body; and ten yatidhar mas, namely, forgiveness, nonattachment, non-deceit, modesty, carefulness, truthfulness, self-restraint, penance, non-possession and celibacy most likely with a view to have control over the mind as well.1
Perfection in the tenets of monkhood, strict observance of the customs and practices of Church Jife, implicit faith in the teacher and perfect obedience to the superiors were some of the criteria which made a novice fit for ordination. It was therefore necessary for the neophytes to keep these precepts strictly at least during their proba. tionary period. Along with these, they were obliged to live corporate Jife as there was every likelihood for them of committing a grave offence when alone. It was in order to enable a monk either to practise concentration and acquire a high degree of control by avoiding disputes, quarrels, passions, etc.,' or to evade troubles and dangers that a monk was allowed to lead a solitary life.
The practice of monk life being dependent entirely on the society for the necessities of life it was likely for the monks to go astray when coming in contact with the society for their provisions and other needs. Consequently their requirements were curtailed so much so that they might not have to mix with the householders frequently and develop intimacy with them. The imposition of the four nissayas, i e. the rules, that a monk must be satisfied with the food given in alms, that a monk must be contented with the robes gathered from dust-heaps, that a monk must be pleased with the foot of a tree as his abode and that a monk's requirements for medicine must be fulfilled by stinking. urine (pūlimutta)'--to which the Sakkaputtiya monks should take recourse to for their maintenance, though the strictness of the rules was relaxed forth with. So far as the requisites of the Jaina monks were concerned they were simply advised to be as light as the wind.
1. Vide Supra, pp 33-36. 2. MV, 1. 70. 129, p. 100; Vav, 4. 5-8. 3. Uttar, 29. 39. 4. OghN, 7, p. 13b; Comm. pp. 14a. 5. MV, 1. 22. 73, p. 55; 6. 69. 128, p. 100. 6. Dasv, 3. 10; Suyg (SBE, Vol. XLV). p. 235.