Ascese e tapas
Austeridade, jejum e disciplina corporal e mental são meios importantes de purificação.
O que é: Tapas é a prática de austeridade, disciplina e esforço ascético, tanto externa quanto interna.
Como a tradição entende: A ascese ajuda a reduzir paixões, impedir novo influxo kármico e consumir karmas acumulados. Jejum, silêncio, desapego e vigilância são práticas centrais em muitos contextos.
Base textual e contexto: A forte valorização da renúncia distingue o jainismo, especialmente em seus ideais monásticos.
Debates e variações: O rigor da ascese varia entre leigos e monásticos, e também entre tradições.
Supportive
Acharanga Sutra on asceticism
A description of the Jain ascetic ideal.
Reference: Acharanga Sutra, various sections on ascetic discipline.
Content: The text describes bodily restraint, vigilance, and the renunciation of the ascetic.
Use in debate: It shows the centrality of asceticism and tapas.
Tattvartha Sutra 9.19
Austerity as a means of reducing karma.
Reference: Tattvartha Sutra 9.19 and context.
Content: The text associates austerity with the reduction of accumulated karmas.
Use in debate: It supports the theology and practice of tapas.
Uttaradhyayana Sutra 9
Reflections on detachment, discipline, and vigilance.
Reference: Uttaradhyayana Sutra, chapter 9.
Content: The text deals with detachment, discipline, and the need for moral vigilance.
Use in debate: It is useful for vows, asceticism, and right conduct.
Neutral
Sallekhana in Jain sources
A much-debated final ascetic practice of fasting to death under specific conditions.
Reference: Jain sources and commentaries on sallekhana or santhara.
Content: The practice describes a final, gradual, and disciplined renunciation of food in a specific religious context.
Use in debate: It is a much-debated theme among Jains, jurists, and modern critics regarding asceticism, autonomy, and voluntary death.