Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)
by K. C. Lalwani | 1973 | 185,989 words
The English translation of the Bhagavati-sutra which is the fifth Jaina Agama (canonical literature). It is a large encyclopedic work in the form of a dialogue where Mahavira replies to various question. The present form of the Sutra dates to the fifth century A.D. Abhayadeva Suri wrote a vritti (commentary) on the Bhagavati in A.D. 1071. In his J...
Part 2 - Wholesome for the monks
Q. 292. Bhante! Bare possession, small desire, nonattachment, detachment, unconcern—are these wholesome for a tie-free monk165?
A. 292. Yes, Gautama! Bare possession,...till unconcern are wholesome.
Q. 293. Bhante! Non-anger, non-pride, non-attachment, non-greed—are they wholesome for a tie-free monk?
A. 293. Gautama! NoN-anger,...till non-greed are wholesome.
Q. 294. Bhante! Does a tie-free monk become capable of terminating (all karma bondage) when his attachment for other faith feds out? Does he take body for the last time? If he moves with great attachment in his previous state, but wholly restrains karma influx before death, does he become perfected, enlightened, liberated,,..till ending all misery?
A. 294. Yes, Gautama, on the fading out of the improper faith, (he attains all these),...till ending all misery.
Q. 295. Bhante! People from other faith so assert, and do so with emphasis, they so claim and uphold, that a living being at the same instant acquires karma determining two lifespans, one the span of this life and the other the span of the next life; that while he acquires karma determining the span of this life, he also acquires karma determining the span of the next life; and that while he acquires karma determining the span of the Next life, he acquires karma determining the span of this-life; and that thus in acquiring karma determining the spaa of his life, he acquires karma determining the span of the next life and in acquiring karma determining the span of the next life, he acquires karma determining the span of this life; and that, therefore, in this way, living in the same instant, he acquires karma determining two life-spans—span of this life, and span of the next life.
Bhante! Is it all like this?
A. 295. Gautama! As to the people of other faith who assert thus,...till span of this life and span of the next life, what they have said is incorrect. I say and ordain that a living being can, in one iṇstant, acquire karma determining one life-span only, maybe of this life, or of the next life; that while he acquires karma determining the span of this life, he does not acquire karma determining the span of the next life, and vice versa. (The statement as above to be repeated). Thus, in one instant, a living bsing acquires karma determining one life-span only, maybe of this life, or maybe of the next life.
Bhante! They are so. Glory be to the Lord! So saying Gautama withdrew and resumed his seat
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
165. ‘Bare possession’ of cloth, vessels, etc., is permitted; ‘small desire’ signifies desire for food and other minimum requirements; ‘non-attachment’ is to the barest possession; ‘detachment’ is total absence of attachment; ‘unconcern’ is the absence of affection.