Charitra
To achieve Moksha we need the right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct known as three jewels of Jainism. Regarding right conduct, we must achieve control over our inner desires and reach a stage where there is no attachment or hatred. It is not as easy as it sounds, for we will have to form new habits and discard old habits. In order to change our habits, we take vows which help us to restrict what we do and eventually live naturally restrained. Although different people take different vows and despite the outer differences in the observance of these vows, the goal of all is to attain right conduct. As we find in the scriptures, there are different vows for monks and nuns, and for male and female house holders.
When one makes a resolution to restrain willfully from something with full understanding and faith then that resolution becomes a vow. The scriptures have divided these vows into two main groups :
1) Maha Vrats (Major Vows or Absolute Vows) 2) Anu Vrats (Minor Vows or Relative Vows)
1) Maha Vrats
In these vows, non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possessiveness are observed mentally, verbally, and physically in total. Each of these three aspects are further observed in three ways: not committing yourself, not asking anyone else to do so, and not encouraging anyone else to do so. Those who wish to observe these vows renounce their worldly lives and become known as sadhus (monks) and sadhvis (nuns) or Anagari.
2) Anu Vrats
It is difficult for house holders to fully practice the above vows, and so, the vows that house holders take have some limitations and are called minor vows. These vows are not as stringent as Maha vrats and people who that take these vows are called shravaks, shravikas, or Agari.
Maha Vrats
1) Savvao Panaivayao Virman Vrat (Absolute Non-Violence Vow) In this vow, non-violence is observed mentally, verbally, and physically in total including for daily needs.
2) Savvao Musavayao Virman Vrat (Absolute Truthfulness Vow) In this vow, lying is given up mentally, verbally, and physically in total. Only the truth is spoken.
3) Savvao Aadinnadanao Virman Vrat (Absolute Non-Stealing Vow In this vow, stealing is given up mentally, verbally, and physically in total. Nothing is taken unless it is offered by the owner, and meets the restrictions of the monkshood life.
4) Savvao Mehunao Virman Vrat (Absolute Celibacy Vow)
Celibacy is observed mentally, verbally, and physically in total. Upon taking this vow, one can not even touch or think about a member of the opposite sex.
5) Savvao Pariggrahao Virman Vrat (Absolute Non-Possessiveness Vow)
Greed and material possessions are given up mentally, verbally, and physically in total. Only items which are needed on a daily basis are kept.
Anu Vrats
1) Sthool Panaivayao Virman Vrat (Limited Non-Violence Vow)
Being a house holder, you must carry out house hold and community activities. Thus, it is not possible to totally avoid violence, especially against one sensed living beings. However, you should take the utmost care to observe non-violence.
2) Sthool Musavayao Virman Vrat (Limited Truthfulness Vow)
You should take the utmost care in not telling lies. Another words you should only speak the truth.
3) Sthool Aadinnadanao Virman Vrat (Limited Non-Stealing Vow)
You should take the utmost care not to steal or borrow the belongings of others without their permission.
4) Sthool Mehunao Virman Vrat (Limited Celibacy Vow)
You should be satisfied with your spouse only and should avoid sexual contact with others.
5) Sthool Pariggahao Virman Vrat (Limited Non-Possessiveness Vow)
Your earning for material possessions, and greed for collection should be as limited as possible.
Guna Vrats (Supporting Vows)
The following vows support the above five vows so that they can be carried out more effectively.
6) Disha Pariman Vrat (Geographic Limitation Vow)
Since it is necessary to move only so much to satisfy your needs, you should limit your desire to perform activities within a needed radius of area. Therefore, you should set limits within the scope of travel or business, etc.
7) Bhogopbhog Virman (Consumption and Occupation Limitation Vow)
You should set limits on the consumption of various items, despite whether they are used once or repeatedly, to avoid incoming sins. Also, you should limit yourself to the kind of occupation you select because some occupations have more exposure to sins than others.
8) Anartha Dand Virati Vrat (Purposeless Violence Limitation Vow)
We sometimes carry out activities for fun or to tease our friends and foes. However, we should realize that all such activities attract karmas. This vow reminds us not to build unnecessary karma.
Shiksha Vrat (Training Vows)
The above eight vows tell us how we can limit our actions in order to reduce the inflow of karma. The next four vows train us to stop karma from coming in, and to get rid of existing karmas.
9) Samayik Vrat (Self-control and Equanimity Vow)
Since we live a social life, it may not be possible to spend much time in shedding karmas, but we should spend at least forty-eight minutes a day in such efforts. During these forty-eight minutes, we give up all familial, social, economical, and cultural responsibilities, and we control ourselves mentally, verbally, and physically. During this time we should concentrate on religious readings or meditation, which will help prevent new karma from coming in as well as help get rid of our old karma. This 48 minutes will also give us a glimpse as to how easy or difficult it may be to control ourselves. Once we become accustomed to doing this, we may extend the self-control time to a period of more than 48 minutes.
10) Dishavakashik Vrat (Day to Day Additional Limitation Vow)
At the time of waking up, we take this vow in order to put definite limits on our activities for that day, and thus, limit our exposure to accumulating karma. In this way we learn to live a more controlled life.
11) Poshadh Vrat (Monkshood Exposure Vow)
This vow teaches us how to live like a monk, or a nun, for a day. By taking this vow, we give up all our household, social, economical, and cultural responsibilities for a day. We should practice this vow as often as possible. By practicing this vow, the inflow of new karma is slowed down, and existing karmas are eradicated. If this vow is easy to observe it may eventually lead to monkshood.
12) Atithi Savinbhag Vrat (Selfless Offerings to Unexpected Guests Vow)
This vow teaches us to share. Sharing is more worthwhile when an unexpected, needy person comes to your door and you offer with an open heart. Monks and nuns are the best receptors for this type of sharing. However, while giving, you should not have any regrets or expectations in your mind. By sharing, you are developing a sense of detachment with the feeling that nothing is mine. Observing this vow will lead to liberation from worldly life.
Our thoughts while taking these vows are also very important. They should be positive and meant to destroy karmas.
There are three common obstacles to our vows:
1) Maya (Deception)
2) Niyanu (Expectations)
3) Mithyatva (Wrong Beliefs)
1) Maya (Deception)
When you take a vow, it should be for the betterment of your soul. Vows should not be taken to show-off or receive praise. Also, they should not to be taken to deceive or they will produce inferior results.
2) Niyanu (Expectations)
Many of us take vows in order to gain something materialistic in return. Such is not good because not only do we use up what we achieve, but we lose the main purpose of performing vows, to destroy karmas.
Mithyatva (Wrong Beliefs)
3) This occurs when one, without belief in liberation, takes the vow that the ultimate pleasure of the body is the prime purpose in this life. We should not forget that austerities are performed to liberate the wandering soul from worldly engrossment. We must understand the value of the vows mentally, verbally, as well as physically, or they will not bear the proper results.
If you can live with these ethics, then, you will eventually be living with right conduct.
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