Harmless Soul

SR No.: 001196
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: W J Johnson, Dayanand Bhargav
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1995
Total Pages: 372
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Principle
File Size: 20 MB

Page 45

Early Jainism 31 however, they are isolated and, for the most part, ambiguous.77 Moreover, to talk of a 'pious' or 'meritorious' act remains largely a contradiction in terms, since '
merit', in this context, is usually taken to mean a relative lack of (bad) karma - the result of abstaining from action. 78
The references to merit and the development of the idea in early Jainism would make an interesting independent study, but there is no need here to consider the relative dating of particular sections of any one text to make my point, since the overall tenor of these works (Āyāramga 1, Sūyagadamga 1, Dasaveyāliya) is self-evidently and uncompromisingly anti-householder, as I have demonstrated. That is to say, only from the secondary layers of early material is it possible to adduce firm evidence for particular lay followers who associate themselves specifically with Jaina ascetics (as opposed to all kinds of śramaņas) in the expectation of gaining merit. But even here, the doctrine of merit still lacks a clear, specifically Jaina rationale.
1.6 Parigraha and the origins of the kaṣāya doctrine
i) Parigraha As we have already noted, 79 Dixit has drawn attention to the fact that in the earliest canonical texts the two worst sins are ārambha (violent activity) and parigraha (possession).80 That is to say, they perform the same function as that performed by kasāya (passion), and by the major vows (mahāvratas), in later texts - they 'provide a frame work for the fundamental classification of moral virtues and vices'.81 Moreover, the two are intimately
77 See, for instance, Sūy. 1.2.3.13, 1.7.16, 1.11.17-21.
78 See, for instance, Āy. 1.4.22, Suy. 1.2.13, 1.8.1-2, 1.15.10, and even the relatively late Utt. 29.37.
79 p. 5, above. · 80 Dixit 1978, p. 5.
81 Ibid. p. 7.