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Śrāvaka (Jainism)

January 19, 2024

In Jainism, the word Śrāvaka or Sāvaga (from Jain Prakrit) is used to refer to the Jain laity (householders).[1][2] The word śrāvaka has its roots in the word śrāvana, i.e. the one who listens (to the discourses of the saints).[1]

Jain Śrāvaka praying at Gommateshwara statue

The tirthankara restores or organises the sangha, a fourfold order of muni (male monastics), aryika (female monastics), śrāvakas (male followers) and śrāvikās (female followers).[3]

In Jainism, there are two kinds of votaries:

  • The householder (one with minor vows)
  • The homeless ascetic (one with major vows).

According to the Jain text Puruşārthasiddhyupāya:

Ascetics who establish themselves in pure and absolute consciousness observe complete abstinence. Those who practice the path of partial abstinence are called Śrāvaka.

— Puruşārthasiddhyupāya (41)[4]

Ratnakaranda śrāvakācāra, a major Jain text, discusses the conduct of a Śrāvaka in detail.

Six essentials edit

 
A Jain Śrāvika worshiping

In Jainism, six essential duties (avashyakas) are prescribed for a śrāvaka. These help the laity in achieving the principle of ahimsa which is necessary for his/her spiritual upliftment. The six duties are:[5]

  1. Worship of Pañca-Parameṣṭhi (five supreme beings)
  2. Following the preachings of Jain saints
  3. Study of Jain scriptures
  4. Sāmāyika (Vow of periodic concentration)
  5. Following discipline in their daily engagement
  6. Charity (dāna) of four kinds:[6][7]
    1. Ahara-dāna – donation of food
    2. Ausadha-dāna – donation of medicine
    3. Jnana-dāna – donation of knowledge
    4. Abhaya-dāna – saving the life of a living being or giving of protection to someone under threat

Twelve Vows edit

Main article: Ethics of Jainism

Jain ethical code prescribes five main vows and seven supplementary vows, which include three guņa vratas and four śikşā vratas.[8]

Mahavratas edit

In Jainism, both ascetics and householders have to follow five vows (vratas) compulsorily. These five vows are:

  1. Ahiṃsā – refraining from harm: avoidance of harming any living being by one's actions and thoughts. Out of the five types of living beings, a householder is forbidden to kill or destroy intentionally all except the lowest of life-forms (seen as "the one-sensed", such as vegetables, herbs, cereals, etc., which are seen to possess only the sense of touch).[9]
  2. Satya – avoidance of lying, or avoidance of speaking that which is not commendable[10]
  3. Asteya – Avoidance of stealing: to not take anything if not freely given[11]
  4. Brahmacharya (Chastity) – Refraining from indulgence in sexual passions
  5. Aparigraha (Non-possession) – Detachment from material property

One who observes the small vows is a householder.

— Tattvartha Sutra (101)[12]

Anuvratas edit

Guņa vratas edit

  • digvrata – Restriction on movement with regard to directions
  • bhogopabhogaparimana – Vow of limiting consumable and non-consumable things
  • anartha-dandaviramana – Refraining from harmful occupations and activities (purposeless sins)

Śikşā vratas edit

  • Samayika – Vow to meditate and concentrate periodically.[8][13] The sāmayika vrata (vow to meditate) is intended to be observed three times a day if possible; otherwise at least once daily. Its objective is to enable the śrāvaka to abstain from all kinds of sins during the period of time fixed for its observance. The usual duration of the sāmayika vow is an antara mūharta (a period of time not exceeding 48 minutes). [14] During this period, which the layperson spends in study and meditation, they refrain from five kinds of sin — injury, falsehood, theft, unchastity and love of material possessions. These are accomplished through any of three designated ways. These three ways are:[15]
  1. by an act of mind, speech or body (krita)
  2. inciting others to commit such an act (kārita)
  3. approving the commission of such an act by others (anumodanā)

In performing sāmayika the śrāvaka has to stand facing north or east and bow to the Pañca-Parameṣṭhi.[16] The person then sits down and recites the Namokara mantra a certain number of times, and finally devotes themselves to holy meditation. Sāmayika can be performed anywhere: a temple, private residence, forest and the like, but the place shouldn't be open to disturbance of any kind.[17]

  • Desavrata — Limiting movement to certain places for a fixed period of time.[18]
  • Upvas — Fasting at regular intervals
  • Atihti samvibhag — Vow of offering food to the ascetics and to the needy

A householder who observes these vows is called viratavirata, i.e., one who observes abstinence as well as non-abstinence.[19]

Sallekhanā edit

Main article: Sallekhana

A householder who has observed all the prescribed vows to shed their karmas, may take the vow of sallekhanā at the end of their life.[8] According to the Jain text, Puruşārthasiddhyupāya, "sallekhana enables a householder to carry with him his wealth of piety".[20] The Sallekhana, a voluntary vow of self-starvation is performed by reducing one's food and fluid intake; the object is to die while engrossed in meditation, with equanimity of mind. Sallekhana is seen to preserve the loss of good karma and to prevent the further effacing of grief, fear, anger, affection, hatred, prejudice etc. at the end of one's life, after the person's vows and austerities have had their beneficial karma on the world. A Jain who has taken these vows spends much time on prayer and scripture, and is seen to be freed from pleasure and passion.[21]

See also edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Śrāvaka (Jainism).

References edit

  1. ^ a b Singh, Abhay Kumar; Arora, Udai Prakash (1 January 2007). Udayana. Anamika Publishers & Distributors. p. 423. ISBN 9788179751688.
  2. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. xiii.
  3. ^ Balcerowicz 2009, p. 17.
  4. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 32.
  5. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. v.
  6. ^ Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh 2008, pp. 82–83.
  7. ^ Sangave 2001, p. 58.
  8. ^ a b c Tukol 1976, p. 5.
  9. ^ Champat Rai Jain 1917, p. 79.
  10. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 61.
  11. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 68.
  12. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2011, p. 101.
  13. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 88.
  14. ^ Champat Rai Jain 1917, p. 44.
  15. ^ Champat Rai Jain 1917, p. 27, 44.
  16. ^ Champat Rai Jain 1917, p. 44, 61.
  17. ^ Champat Rai Jain 1917, p. 45.
  18. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 90.
  19. ^ S.A. Jain 1992, p. 202.
  20. ^ Vijay K. Jain 2012, p. 114.
  21. ^ Tukol 1976, p. 8.

Sources edit

  • Balcerowicz, Piotr (2009), Jainism and the definition of religion (1st ed.), Mumbai: Hindi Granth Karyalay, ISBN 978-81-887-69292
  • Champat Rai Jain (1917), The Practical Path, The Central Jaina Publishing House
  • S.A. Jain (1992). Reality (Second ed.). Jwalamalini Trust. Non-Copyright
  • Jain, Vijay K. (2011), Acharya Umasvami's Tattvarthsutra (1st ed.), Uttarakhand: Vikalp Printers, ISBN 978-81-903639-2-1,   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • Jain, Vijay K. (2012), Acharya Amritchandra's Purushartha Siddhyupaya: Realization of the Pure Self, With Hindi and English Translation, Vikalp Printers, ISBN 978-81-903639-4-5,   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • Sangave, Dr. Vilas A. (2001), Facets of Jainology: Selected Research Papers on Jain Society, Religion, and Culture, New Delhi: Bhartiya Jnanpith, ISBN 81-263-0626-2
  • Singh, Ram Bhushan Prasad (2008) [1975], Jainism in Early Medieval Karnataka, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-81-208-3323-4
  • Tukol, Justice T. K. (1976), Sallekhanā is Not Suicide (1st ed.), Ahmedabad: L.D. Institute of Indology Alt URL

January 19, 2024
Śrāvaka, jainism, jainism, word, Śrāvaka, sāvaga, from, jain, prakrit, used, refer, jain, laity, householders, word, śrāvaka, roots, word, śrāvana, listens, discourses, saints, jain, Śrāvaka, praying, gommateshwara, statuethe, tirthankara, restores, organises,. In Jainism the word Sravaka or Savaga from Jain Prakrit is used to refer to the Jain laity householders 1 2 The word sravaka has its roots in the word sravana i e the one who listens to the discourses of the saints 1 Jain Sravaka praying at Gommateshwara statueThe tirthankara restores or organises the sangha a fourfold order of muni male monastics aryika female monastics sravakas male followers and sravikas female followers 3 In Jainism there are two kinds of votaries The householder one with minor vows The homeless ascetic one with major vows According to the Jain text Purusarthasiddhyupaya Ascetics who establish themselves in pure and absolute consciousness observe complete abstinence Those who practice the path of partial abstinence are called Sravaka Purusarthasiddhyupaya 41 4 Ratnakaranda sravakacara a major Jain text discusses the conduct of a Sravaka in detail Contents 1 Six essentials 2 Twelve Vows 2 1 Mahavratas 2 2 Anuvratas 2 2 1 Guna vratas 2 2 2 Siksa vratas 2 3 Sallekhana 3 See also 4 References 4 1 SourcesSix essentials edit nbsp A Jain Sravika worshipingIn Jainism six essential duties avashyakas are prescribed for a sravaka These help the laity in achieving the principle of ahimsa which is necessary for his her spiritual upliftment The six duties are 5 Worship of Panca Parameṣṭhi five supreme beings Following the preachings of Jain saints Study of Jain scriptures Samayika Vow of periodic concentration Following discipline in their daily engagement Charity dana of four kinds 6 7 Ahara dana donation of food Ausadha dana donation of medicine Jnana dana donation of knowledge Abhaya dana saving the life of a living being or giving of protection to someone under threatTwelve Vows editMain article Ethics of Jainism Jain ethical code prescribes five main vows and seven supplementary vows which include three guna vratas and four siksa vratas 8 Mahavratas edit In Jainism both ascetics and householders have to follow five vows vratas compulsorily These five vows are Ahiṃsa refraining from harm avoidance of harming any living being by one s actions and thoughts Out of the five types of living beings a householder is forbidden to kill or destroy intentionally all except the lowest of life forms seen as the one sensed such as vegetables herbs cereals etc which are seen to possess only the sense of touch 9 Satya avoidance of lying or avoidance of speaking that which is not commendable 10 Asteya Avoidance of stealing to not take anything if not freely given 11 Brahmacharya Chastity Refraining from indulgence in sexual passions Aparigraha Non possession Detachment from material propertyOne who observes the small vows is a householder Tattvartha Sutra 101 12 Anuvratas edit Guna vratas edit digvrata Restriction on movement with regard to directions bhogopabhogaparimana Vow of limiting consumable and non consumable things anartha dandaviramana Refraining from harmful occupations and activities purposeless sins Siksa vratas edit Samayika Vow to meditate and concentrate periodically 8 13 The samayika vrata vow to meditate is intended to be observed three times a day if possible otherwise at least once daily Its objective is to enable the sravaka to abstain from all kinds of sins during the period of time fixed for its observance The usual duration of the samayika vow is an antara muharta a period of time not exceeding 48 minutes 14 During this period which the layperson spends in study and meditation they refrain from five kinds of sin injury falsehood theft unchastity and love of material possessions These are accomplished through any of three designated ways These three ways are 15 by an act of mind speech or body krita inciting others to commit such an act karita approving the commission of such an act by others anumodana In performing samayika the sravaka has to stand facing north or east and bow to the Panca Parameṣṭhi 16 The person then sits down and recites the Namokara mantra a certain number of times and finally devotes themselves to holy meditation Samayika can be performed anywhere a temple private residence forest and the like but the place shouldn t be open to disturbance of any kind 17 Desavrata Limiting movement to certain places for a fixed period of time 18 Upvas Fasting at regular intervals Atihti samvibhag Vow of offering food to the ascetics and to the needyA householder who observes these vows is called viratavirata i e one who observes abstinence as well as non abstinence 19 Sallekhana edit Main article Sallekhana A householder who has observed all the prescribed vows to shed their karmas may take the vow of sallekhana at the end of their life 8 According to the Jain text Purusarthasiddhyupaya sallekhana enables a householder to carry with him his wealth of piety 20 The Sallekhana a voluntary vow of self starvation is performed by reducing one s food and fluid intake the object is to die while engrossed in meditation with equanimity of mind Sallekhana is seen to preserve the loss of good karma and to prevent the further effacing of grief fear anger affection hatred prejudice etc at the end of one s life after the person s vows and austerities have had their beneficial karma on the world A Jain who has taken these vows spends much time on prayer and scripture and is seen to be freed from pleasure and passion 21 See also edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sravaka Jainism Sarak Pratima Jainism Tapas Indian religions Tapas Jain religion References edit a b Singh Abhay Kumar Arora Udai Prakash 1 January 2007 Udayana Anamika Publishers amp Distributors p 423 ISBN 9788179751688 Vijay K Jain 2012 p xiii Balcerowicz 2009 p 17 Vijay K Jain 2012 p 32 Vijay K Jain 2012 p v Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh 2008 pp 82 83 Sangave 2001 p 58 a b c Tukol 1976 p 5 Champat Rai Jain 1917 p 79 Vijay K Jain 2012 p 61 Vijay K Jain 2012 p 68 Vijay K Jain 2011 p 101 Vijay K Jain 2012 p 88 Champat Rai Jain 1917 p 44 Champat Rai Jain 1917 p 27 44 Champat Rai Jain 1917 p 44 61 Champat Rai Jain 1917 p 45 Vijay K Jain 2012 p 90 S A Jain 1992 p 202 Vijay K Jain 2012 p 114 Tukol 1976 p 8 Sources edit Balcerowicz Piotr 2009 Jainism and the definition of religion 1st ed Mumbai Hindi Granth Karyalay ISBN 978 81 887 69292 Champat Rai Jain 1917 The Practical Path The Central Jaina Publishing House S A Jain 1992 Reality Second ed Jwalamalini Trust Non Copyright Jain Vijay K 2011 Acharya Umasvami s Tattvarthsutra 1st ed Uttarakhand Vikalp Printers ISBN 978 81 903639 2 1 nbsp This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Jain Vijay K 2012 Acharya Amritchandra s Purushartha Siddhyupaya Realization of the Pure Self With Hindi and English Translation Vikalp Printers ISBN 978 81 903639 4 5 nbsp This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Sangave Dr Vilas A 2001 Facets of Jainology Selected Research Papers on Jain Society Religion and Culture New Delhi Bhartiya Jnanpith ISBN 81 263 0626 2 Singh Ram Bhushan Prasad 2008 1975 Jainism in Early Medieval Karnataka Motilal Banarsidass ISBN 978 81 208 3323 4 Tukol Justice T K 1976 Sallekhana is Not Suicide 1st ed Ahmedabad L D Institute of Indology Alt URL Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sravaka Jainism amp oldid 1185116353, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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