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The Jaina Way of Life
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rigorous and extensive restraints because they proceed on the path of Sarvavirati or total renunciation. Once they take Pravrajyā (renunciation), they have to observe the Pañca Mahāvratas or the five great vows of total abstinence from violence, untruth, stealing, sexual indulgence and possessions. They proceed on the path of liberation, which is the state of infinite consciousness, absolute freedom and eternal bliss. They devote their whole life to scriptural study, service to the Guru and dedicate themselves to preaching. But so far as the householders are concerned, the teachings of Lord Mahāvīra are much simpler.
Thirty five Rules of Conduct
Jaina Ācāryas have described the duties and responsibilities of the laity elaborately. These are called 35 virtues of a Mārgānusārī (one who follows the path shown by Jinas). These rules prevent a laity from deviating the spiritual path and prompt him to rise higher. It is the means by which he gets the right attitude of living. Due to these virtues he begins to stop the karmic influx. From the sincere practise of these rules, his soul gets purified. Ācārya Shri Bhuvanbhanusurishwarji has nicely classified these rules into following four groups in his book, A Handbook of Jainology: eleven obligatory duties, eight derogations that ought to be discarded, eight virtues to be cultivated, and eight endeavours to be carried out with diligence.
I. The eleven duties:
A householder devotee should follow some kind of business, trade or profession, which is not of an ignoble or degrading nature. He should do so in a just and honest way and in proportion to his capital, or in case of employment under other people, in proportion to his strength. The business should not
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