Part 2.5 - Subsidiary Restraints

[Full title: Fundamental Principles of Jainism (5): Subsidiary Restraints]

Apart from these five main restraints, other subsidiary restraints are^[1] :

1. Digvirati: limiting areas of operation in different directions
2. Desavirati: restricting area of operation for a certain period
3. Anarthadandavirati: averting the purposeless violence
4. Samayika: stipulates exercising of equanimity
5. Pausadhopavasa: practicing the monastic code for a day or pre-fixed period either pratipurna without any food or desa with water and food.
6. Bhogopabhoga parimana: laying restrictions on the use and consumption of certain articles
7. Atithisamvibhaga: serving monks, nuns and others

First three (i, ii and iii) are auxiliary and minor vows mainly for the householders, which should be observed through out the life. All our activities whether related to business or not should be restricted to certain fixed areas, direction and limited to certain period of operation.

Others (iv to vii) are disciplinary restraints, to be observed from time to time to a certain extent.

Bhogopabhoga parimana is prohibiting oneself of using many articles except the necessary ones for the life. These restrictions are two types, food related and work/business related. To use an article once only is upabhoga and those being used frequently are paribhoga. Fifteen aticaras are prescribed in Acaranga Sutra for various types of restrictions.

Sallekhana,^[2] which is fasting until death, is an additional restraint being observed in some of the sects of Jains.

One who wants to observe restraints has to be faultless^[3]. Deceptive instincts, strong urge for any worldly aspect and wrong perception are main faults or obstructions on the path of spiritual pursuits.

Jainism puts emphasis on four essential aspects for a layman, dana^[4] (donation, charity, giving of one’s wealth to another for mutual benefit), sila (conduct), tapas (austerities) and bhavana (mode, attitude). Its significance depends upon the methods of charity, article to be donated and worthiness and approach of the donor as well. The distinction with regard to the effect of a gift consists in the manner, the thing given, the nature of the giver and the nature of the recipient. The desired qualities are the manner–with reverence, the thing–promotes austerities and study. The giver should be free from envy and dejection, and the recipient’s qualities which lead to salvation^[5].

Jain monks and nuns follow all these vows strictly and totally as great vows (mahavrata), while common people can follow as per their ability, desire and permit as anuvrata^[6]. One should not commit any of above sin by speech, thoughts or deeds.

Few more fundamental principles of Jainism are explained under the different heading as under.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

digdeśānarthadaṇḍa viratisāmāyikaproṣadhopavāsopabhogaparibhogaparimāṇātithisaṃvibhāgavratasaṃpannaśca | Tattvartha-sutra 7.16

[2]:

māraṇāntikīṃsallekhanā joṣitā | Tattvartha-sutra 7.22

[3]:

niḥśalyo vratī | Tattvartha-sutra 7.13

[4]:

anugrahārthasya syātisargo dānam | Tattvartha-sutra 7.38

[5]:

vidhidravyadātṛpātraviśeṣāttadviśeṣaḥ | Tattvartha-sutra 7.39

[6]:

aṇuvrato'gārī | Tattvartha-sutra 7.20