be used as weapons; finally one promises (Pāpopadeśa) never to use one’s influence for evil or to persuade any one else to do so. In keeping this vow five special faults must be guarded against, the vow being broken if one writes an immoral book, sells evil medicines, or indulges in evil conversation; if one takes part in buffoonery; indulges in vile abuse; leaves one’s guns lying about when loaded or in any way is careless about them; or lastly, if one thinks too much about things to eat or drink.
The four Śikṣāvrata.The remaining four of the layman’s twelve vows are called Śikṣāvrata, and they are all intended to encourage the laity in the performance of their religious duties.
ix. Sāmāyika.The ninth vow is taken in the following words:
A man hereby promises to perform Sāmāyika, i.e. to spend at least forty-eight minutes every day in meditation, thinking no evil of any one, but being at peace with all the world, to meditate on what heights one’s soul may reach. One may observe as many periods of forty-eight minutes as possible (e.g. ninety-six minutes or one hundred and forty-four), but forty-eight minutes is the least unbroken period one may spend. A Jaina should engage in Sāmāyika every morning, afternoon and evening, but of these the morning Sāmāyika is considered the most important. Whilst doing it, one must neither sin oneself, nor cause any one else to sin, but, sitting with one’s legs crossed, one should fix one’s gaze on the tip of one’s own nose. (Nowadays, however, Jaina quite often just sit or stand comfortably whilst they are doing it.) The usual place for Sāmāyika is the temple or the Apāsaro (there used to be an Apāsaro in every man’s house). If an idol be there, they kneel in front of it, and if a guru be present, kneel before him and ask his permission. Three‘I take the ninth, Sāmāyika, vow which teaches me to avoid all evil actions. I will sit in meditation for forty-eight [minutes], ninety-six, or whatever period I may have previously fixed upon. Whilst I am sitting in meditation I will not commit, or cause any one to commit, any sin in the space of the whole world by mind, speech, or body.’
