Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.s18.5

c9.s18.5

But it seems that under extreme distress, as a special rule, the Jains were allowed to take meat.⁵⁴ Among the articles of food referred to above, we have seen that wine (*majja*) and meat (*māṃsa*) are mentioned along with rice, milk, curds, etc. as articles of food received by monks in alms. Justifying the mention of *majja* and *māṃsa* in the *Sūtra* the commentator remarks that these should be explained with reference to the *Cheda sūtras*, or perhaps a covetous monk might desire to eat flesh and hence they are included among the articles of food.⁵⁵