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Essence of Jainism The following are the seven supporting vows householders are required to observe.
(6) Vow of limiting the area of one's activities (digvrata) :
The vower limits the area within which he will move, conduct trade and business; and will use things produced in that much area only. The vow checks the unimpeded spread of desire and activity.
(7) Vow of limiting quantity of things one uses (bhogopabhogaparimana) :
Householders use eatables, water, clothes, etc. This vow means to limit the quantity of eatables, water, clothes etc. that the householders use. This refrains one from keeping things more in quantity than necessarily required. The observance of this vow puts restraint on the free play of desire and discourages hoarding.
(8) Vow to abstain from purposeless harmful activities (an arthadanda - viramana) :
Householders bring unnecessary evils upon themselves without any purpose, by indulging in thoughts, words or deeds in which there is no benefit to society, to their friends, or to themselves. Giving evil advice, offering means of destroying life, aimlessly digging ground or striking a standing animal with a stick, yielding to unwholesome contemplation, etc. are instances of purposeless, harmful activities. They should be assiduously avoided.
(9) Vow of remaining completely equanimous for a fixed period of time (samayika) : The vow consists in sitting at one place and on one seat for
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