Studies in Buddhist and Jaina Monachism

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

Page 45

STUDIES IN BUDDHIST AND JAINA MONACHISM
Normally they select three abodes for observing retreat, all of these well-furnished with a place for answering calls of nature,2 having enough accommodation for religious practice and having wide scope for begging alms and other requisites."
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The obvious reason which led them to keep retreat was that they wished to avoid injury because of the over-growth of vegetation in the season. Along with it, they were relieved from the troublesome journey when most of the roads become slushy.
In normal circumstances, nobody could leave one's residence and go out even for a day or two before the expiry of the term of the retreat." But in case of some urgent piece of work of the Order or of the acarya or of the upadhyaya, or in case of troubles and dangers, one could shift to any one of the three abodes selected for the purpose.
8
In order to avoid injury to living beings, the monks and the nuns try to move the minimum during the retreat period. Having this end in view, they do not go more than a yojana and a krosa all around their residence for alms.9 Sometimes, they give up food altogether so that they neither have to go for collecting alms nor for easing calls of nature, 10 Thus the Jaina saints live, of course, a severe life during
the rains.
Residence of Jaina monks : As nobody was allowed to stay for more than one night in a village and five nights in a town throughout the eight months, the Jaina ascetics, unlike the Buddhists, had no fixed dwelling of their own. They often halted in gardens and temples, cemeteries, deserted houses, mountain caves and potters' workshops13 in course of their tour. When selecting a lodging place,
1. Kapp (SBE. Vol. XXII), p. 310.
2. Ayar (SBE. Vol. XXII), 2. 2. 3. 24 (p. 134).
3.
Ibid, 2. 3. 1. 3 (pp. 136-37).
4.
Ibid, 2. 3. 1. 1. (p. 136).
5. Kapp (SBE. Vol. XXII), p. 310.
6. Ibid.
7. Than, 413, p. 308 b.
8. Kapp (SBE. Vol. XXII), p. 310.
9. Ibid, p. 297, also p. 310.
10, Ibid, p. 297.
11. Ayar (SBE.
pp. 157, 242.
12.
Vivagasuya, p. 17; Uttar, 9. 4; 18.4; 23.4-8; Naya, p. 69. 13. Ayar (SBE. Vol. XXII), 1.7.2.1 (p. 64).
Vol. XXII), 2.3.1.6 (p. 137); Aup, p. 17; Mul, 9. 19, HJM