Upasakdasha and Anuttarau Papatikdasha sutra Sachitra

Author(s): Amarmuni, Tarunmuni, Shreechand Surana, Trilok Sharma
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 20

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S OPA OPA OVAL O DAN 0 PANO LANCO PIO DANO O TAO O PINTO PAN OVI OTN OVAL
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The seventh Anga—Upasak-dasha, eighth Anga—Antakrid-dasha Z
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and ninth Anga—Anuttaraupapatik-dasha belong to
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Dharmakathanuyog. They describe ideal conduct of householders and E
4
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monks and their loftiest austerities through religious stories. So they N
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are a partofreligious conduct. 0
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In the thirty-two Agams, many discuss ascetic conduct but EO
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oO complete description about ideal conduct of a householder O
4 T
(Shravakachar)is available only in Upasak-dasha. T
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THE SUBJECT-MATTER OF UPASAK-DASHA S
4 E
V
N
O The life-style of an ascetic is based on thelife-style of a Shravak I
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(householder observing religious vows). The practice of ascetic conduct
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T
PA is very difficult. Therefore, it is not possible for everyone to become an INTE
O O
ascetic. But the religious code of a householder is so simple and
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A beneficial that everyone can follow it. Further, everyone desirous of VET
P
O attaining liberation must accept the prescribed code of a Shravak. o
i ei
r A true Shravakis an ideal citizen. His life-style is based on morality
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a
al and he follows the ideal of society and the nation, with an inclination RC3
or a
towards religion. Shravak means an awakened soul. n
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In Upasak-dasha Sutra, there is a balanced, properly defined and a
n
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A scientifie description of the vows of a Shravak, Simultaneously, it a
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O O
NT explains how he should lead life in the society. It is not possible for a
A LWA
T
O householder to follow principles of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, O
R
celibacy and non-possession to their extreme limit. Therefore, he is in O
o
the need of such a restrained, balanced, social code of conduct in EWA
SO AO
PA pursuit of which he could remain religious and also discharge his Y
L
O O
family and social responsibilities in an ideal manner. Upasak + dasha
DAA YS
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O means ‘Udatta-dasha’ of the follower (Upasak). In other words, ideal O
TALL
O life-style ofa householder, The scripture mentioning in detail, the code
T
N
A
T
ofconduct for Shravak is famous as ‘Upasak-dasha’. 9
O
A
P
O It mentions the life-story of ten famous householders who were
L
A
A followers ofBhagavan Mahavir.
OF
PAM
A question arises as to why out of one hundred fifty-nine thousand
O
T
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A Shravaks of Bhagavan Mahavir only ten Shravaks were selected for
T
O
A this narration. A detailed study ofthis Sutra reveals that the reply to
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