A Critical Study of the Ethical Codes Related to the Disciplinary Conduct of Laymen of Jain Mahāwīra in association with ‘Uwāsagadasāō’

Abstract

There are two main traditions among many philosophies emerged in ancient India. They are tradition of Clergy and the tradition of Brahmin. The disciples of the Lord Buddha and Niganṭhanāṭhaputta alias Jain Mahāwīra belong to the tradition of Clergy. The teachings of Jain Mahāwīra could be divided into two main segments, namely 1. Syādwādaya 2. Nawatatwaya. ‘Syādwāda’ explains that all the worldly objects should be seen in different views, whereas ‘Nawatatwa’ depicts that there are nine positions in the world. Jainism has been identified as ‘Catuyāmasanwaraya’ in Samaññapala Sutta of Dīgha Nikāya. The disciples who follow these teachings could be segregated into two sects, namely ‘Śwētambara’ and ‘Digambara’. Subsequently, many scriptures containing ethical codes of Jain Mahāwīra had been originated during the later years. The entire collections related to the ancient literature of Jainism contain 45 scriptures. Jainism as well as Buddhist order contains four main groups of disciples such as Bhikku, Bhikkuni alias Sādhu and Sādhwinī and Upāsaka, Upāsikā. Accordingly, in Jainism the volume containing the ethical code for the clergy is named as ‘Sūyagadanga’ or ‘Sūttra Krutāṅga’. The code of ethics for the laymen is indicated in the volume namely, ‘Uwāsagadasāō.’ The said volume has been described as ‘Upāsakānaṅ śramanōpāsakānaṅ sambaṅdhita anuśṭhanasya pratipādikā daśadyayana rūpā upāsakadaśā’ by ‘Bhāśyakāra Abhayadēwa’ means, “the ethical code containing nine chapters or the policy for the ‘Upāsaka’ among the ‘Upāsakā’ of Jain Mahāwīra is named as ‘Upāsakadaśa.’ In volume ‘Uwāsagadasāō’ the code of ethics is presented as life stories of ten selected disciples (upāsaka). It is evident that in certain instances the said stories are interconnected as well. Special attention is drawn to adhering to ‘Panca Anuwruta’ and ‘Sapta Śikśāpada’. The research question is a critical analysis of the code of ethics related to the disciplinary conduct of laymen of Jain Mahāwīra in association of ‘Uwāsagadasāō.’ The objective of this study was to reveal information relevant to the disciplinary conduct of Jain Mahāwīra and his lay disciples (Upāsaka and Upāsikā). Accordingly, this study will be conducted as a quantitative research subsequent to study of primary, secondary sources of literature.