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502
The Unknown Pilgrims
b) What food is to be refused and when
The rules prescribing the refusal of certain types of food, in certain circumstances, are numerous and somewhat unintelligible if taken out of context. Here are certain ones which secm important from the point of view of ahimsā. We need to remember that the śrävakas and śrāvikās are committed to the same observances as the ascetics, but to a lesser degree. Gocari demands attentiveness on both sides: on the part of the mistress of the house or another family member who is presenting the alms and on that of the sādhvis who are receiving this offering. The sādhvis are not bound by any formal obligation to accept food exclusively from the hands of Jainas. They are permitted, and this happens in the course of a vihāra in isolated villages, to accept food offered by anyone, provided that that food is pure - according to the standards set by the doctrine - and that the family in question is vegetarian. 104 One must refuse food in the following cases:
- when the mistress of the house, through clumsiness, lets fall to the ground part of what she is offering; the rest of the same plate is then rendered unacceptable;105
- if the afore-mentioned walks on plants, seeds or insects, the sădhvis must withdraw and go elsewhere, for this heedless manner proves the state of inner being of the person; 106 - if she washes her hands or the serving-spoon or the dish in which she is placing the food with unboiled water, water being a living substance, the food must be refused;107
104 Cf. AS II, 1, 2, 2.
105 Cf. DS V, 1, 28.
106 Ibid., 1, 29; cf. also 30-31, where numerous subtle points are mentioned in connection with the manner of giving.
107 Ibid., 1,32.
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