Book I, Lecture 7, Lesson 4

Jaina Sutras, Part II (SBE22), tr. by Hermann Jacobi, [1884], at sacred-texts.com

FOURTH LESSON.

A mendicant who is fitted out with three robes ³, and a bowl as fourth (article), will not think: I shall beg

p. 68

for a fourth robe. He should beg for (clothes) which he wants, and which are permitted by the religious code ¹; he should wear the clothes in the same state in which they are given him; he should neither wash nor dye them, nor should he wear washed or dyed clothes, nor (should he) hide (his garments when passing) through other villages, being careless of dress. This is the whole duty ² of one who wears clothes. But know further, that, after winter is gone and the hot season has come, one should leave off the used-up (garment of the three), being clad with an upper and under garment, or with the undermost garment, or with one gown, or with no clothes--aspiring to freedom from bonds ³. Penance suits him. Knowing what the Revered One has declared, one should thoroughly and in all respects conform to it. (1)

When it occurs to a blessed ⁴ mendicant that he suffers pain, and cannot bear the influence of cold, he should not try to obviate these trials, but stand fast in his own self which is endowed with all knowledge ⁵. 'For it is better for an ascetic that he should take poison.' Even thus he will in due time put an end to existence. This (way to escape trials) has been adopted by many who were

p. 69

free from delusion; it is good, wholesome, proper, beatifying, meritorious. Thus I say. (2)

Footnotes

67:1 The latter part of this paragraph is nearly identical with lecture 2, lesson 5, § 3, to which we refer the reader for the explanation of the dark phrases.

67:2 The original has fire-body, which the faithful are enjoined not to injure; see lecture 2, lesson 4.

67:3 The three robes allowed to a Gaina monk are two linen under garments (kshaumikakalpa) and one woollen upper garment (aurnikakalpa). Besides these (kalpatraya), the monk possesses, 2. an alms-bowl (pâtra) with six things belonging to it, 3. a broom (ragoharana), 4. a veil for the mouth (mukhavastrikâ). The alms-bowl and the articles belonging to it are specialised in the following gâthâ: pattam pattâbamdho pâyatthavanam ka pâyakesariyâ | padalâi rayattânam ka gokkhao pâyaniggogo ||

68:1 Things, &c.: this is the meaning of the technical term ahesanigga yathaishanîya, allowed objects of begging.

68:2 Literally, outfit. Cf. II, 5, 2, § 1.

68:3 I.e. freedom from worldly cares and interest.

68:4 Vasumam: rich (in control).

68:5 But he should not, in order to escape these trials, commit such suicide as is only permitted to ascetics who have reached the highest degree of perfection, when they are ripe for Nirvâna. Suicide only puts off the last struggle for Nirvâna; but it is better than breaking the vow.