________________
7.
Thus he/she considers himself/ herself as merely an instrument (NIMITTA) in the process of giving. A donor is free from ego. Acharya Siddhasen, in his commentary on TATTVAARTH SUTRA, recounts the following qualities of a donor:2
a. Absence of ill-will towards the recipient (ANUSOOYATVA) b. Absence of dejection in giving (AVISHAADITVA)
C.
condescension
recipient (NIRAHANKAARITVA). This means that the donor does not consider himself/herself to be superior to the recipient. d. Joy in giving (MUDITVA). This implies absence of remorse or guilt.
e.
Absence of
towards
f.
g.
h.
Auspicious frame of mind (forbearance, KSHAMA) Absence of desire for material gains (AIHIKPHALANAPEKSHA) Absence of complicity (NISHKAPATA) Absence of craving for rebirth in a desirable form (ANIDAANATVA) It should be noted that the qualities of a donor enumerated by Acharya Amrit Chandra Suri are 2. Jaina Yoga by R. Williams, published page 153.
the
essentially the same as those described by Acharya Siddhasen. Evidently, we Jains and our system have a lot to learn from our scriptures. Material Appropriate for
Donation
Jain Education International
Describing the materials suitable for donation, Acharya Amrit Chandra Suri has written, in PURUSHAARTH SIDDHYUPAAYA:3 Things that generate attachment, aversion, incontinence (lack of selfcontrol), vanity, pain and fright should not be donated. Only such things that promote self-study and observance of austerities should be donated, In other words, one should not donate means of material comforts, unhealthy foods, and dangerous items such as knives, guns and poison. One should donate Items that promote good physical and mental health such as nourishing foods, medicine and books. Qualities of a Recipient
Jain scriptures emphasize that donation should be given to the four segments of the Jain order (SANGH): monks, nuns, laymen and laywomen. Qualities of a recipient have also been defined by Acharya Amrit Chandra Suri, in PURUSHAARTH SIDDHYUPAAYA, in the following words:4 The recipients by Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1983,
3. रागद्वेषासंयममददुःखभयादिकं न यत्कुरुते । द्रव्यं तदेव देयं सुतपः स्वाध्याय वृद्धिकरम्। 170 । 4. पात्रं त्रिभेदमुक्तं संयोगो मोक्षकारण गुणानाम् । अविरतसम्यग्दृष्टिः विरताविरतश्च सकलविरतश्च ।171 ।
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