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Aryikās: The Digambara Sadhvis
671
The āryikās' āhāra and sādhvis' gocari stem from the same concepts of ahimsa and aparigraha; however, the two vidhis, both aiming at bringing about an identical inner attitude, present certain differences:
- the äryikās respond to an invitation and do not request alms in the form of food, whereas the sådhvis glean, so to speak, seeking here and there;
- the āryikās take one single meal a day and it is only during this meal that they may take a remedy. The sădhvis are permitted one full meal and two light ones and may drink water and take remedies from after sunrise until sunset;
- the āryikās have only the pāņi-pātra by way of a utensil; the sădhvis have their wooden pātras;
- the äryikās always eat in silence; the sādhvis are allowed to talk.
- the āryikās take their meal in the house of a śrāvaka and in the presence of the whole family; the sādhvis, even if they are lodging in a śrăvaka's house, must not ask their host for food and must always eat their meal together and separately, with no-one else present;
- the āryikās are extremely meticulous as regards the purity of the food, the sādhvis less so. Although the context of their lives may differ, the faults to be avoided, in regard to ähāra are similar in both sampradāyas91
In spite of their strict rules the āryikās may accept a meal offered by Svetāmbara śrāvakas or even by brāhmaṇas, provided that the food is pure, that the hosts have a true devotion to the tirthařkaras and take no food after sunset. From other categories of persons they may accept fruit, pure water and milk.
91 Cf. Jñanamati, 1976, pp. 33-36.
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