Traverses on Less Trodden Path of Indian Philosophy and Religion

Author(s): Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 186

Code of conduct for monks...
177
life of a monk and the life of a householder occupies only a secondary place. It considers that the life of a householder is just a stepping stone to the life of a monk. It believes that asceticism is a sovereign remedy against all ills of this life and life hereafter. According to Jaina thinkers, liberation - the ultimate aim of life, cannot be obtained without complete renunciation of the mundane life.
Acara of the Sadhus (Monk )
The rules of spiritual disciplines, prescribed for monks are extremely difficult, rigid and puritanic, while in the case of householders they are modified. The course of conduct prescribed for the ascetics in Praśamarati can be roughly grouped under the following beads :--
I Five kinds of Right conduct (Pañcavidha Sadhvácāra) IL Five kinds of Great vows (Pancamahāvratas) III Five kinds of Cautions (Samitis) IV Three kinds of Restraints (Guptis)
V Endurance of Hardships (Parişaha jaya) VI Talk of Religious Stories (Dharma-kathās) VII Five kinds of Cäritra (Pancavidhacaritra) VIII Ten kinds of Religious Virtues (Daśavidha dharma)
IX Twele kinds of Reflection (Anuprekşās or Bhavanās) X Meditations (Dhyānas)
It is important to note that Prasamarati gives exhaustive information about some of the above-mentioned topics and some of them are mentioned in sitra form. The rules for monks which are not fully discussed in Tattvärthasütro and bhāşya are given prominence and explained in detail.
Pancavidha Sadhvācāra : Right Faith. Right knowledge, Right Conduct, austerity and vigour (power which is to be used in the direction of right efforts) are prescribed as right conduct. 8 These five kinds of codes of conduct are general rules which should be strictly followed by all ascetics.
Pancamahavratas : Non-injury (ahimsā), truthfulness (sat ya), non. theft (aste ya), celibacy (brahmacar ya) and non-acquisition (aparigraha) are considered as five-fold fundamental spiritual disciplines, which is to be observed absolutely without any limitation by monks. 9 Ahiṁsā is non. 8. PR,P-113.
9. Ibid-117. T-23