Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 169

Teachings of Mahavira
149
repeat to himself, "A man must come and go according to his Karma alone." The pious are not given to blamable sinful practices. Avoiding all evils, monks should without embarrassment and passion preach the Law.
Making manifest the conduct of the virtuous, an intelligent monk should not leave the company of his teacher. A monk who complies with the rules for the Yatis regarding postures, lying down, sitting and exertion, who is thoroughly acquainted with the Samitis and Guptis, should explain each single point of conduct. He should not allow himself to be influenced by pleasant sounds. He should perserve in selfcontrol. A novice, who has not mastered the law, does not know the law, but he will know it afterwards through the words of the Jainas. A monk possessed of a sound conduct will explain the moral nature of the virtuous. A monk, by hearing the desired truth, gets bright ideas and becomes a clever tcacher; by desiring the highest good and practising austerity, he obtains his final liberation. Such virtuous men do not conceal the truth or falsify it. Nor do they cherish any desire for fame. Indeed, a monk should be honest and fearless in his exposition of the Syadvāda. He should use words appropriate to a monk and should be impartial and wise. He should utter pure speech in accordance with the crccd of the Jinas and should learn the sacred text thoroughly. While his endeavour should be to teach the creed and not to speak unduly long, hc should also do his utmost to deliver faithfully what he lias learnt. He should not prevent the truth from coming to light nor render it obscure.
A monk, who does not act nor kill, who is free from anger, pride, deceit and greed, who is calm and happy, will never entertain the wish that after his departure from the world he will become a god or a perfected saint. He does nothing that arises from a sinful cause, nor does he get such things done by another person. Amonk should not take food or drink when he knows that a houscholder, to satisfy him or a co-religionist, has brought it. One slould ca: when i: is time for cating, seek cover when it is time for seeking cover, and sleep when it is time for sleeping. Then a monl: preaches the law, he should preach it not for ile sake of food or drink, bu: