Introduction to Jainism and its Culture

SR No.: 001605
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Balbhadra Jain
Publisher: Kundkund Gyanpith Indore
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Culture
File Size: 21 MB

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excitement, anger or some other manifestation of passions. Its aim is to escape the predicament causing agitation and excitement. But the ultimate vow or meditational death is accepted with calm and patience. It is directed at lofty goals like winning over passions, conquering the self, and purity of soul. If a person intending to commit suicide is prevented from doing so he gets so terrified of death that he will never even think of doing that again. In fact, the way to stop someone trying to commit suicide is to block his impulsive excitement, remove its cause, and help him regain his rationality and confidence. On the other hand, it is not possible to shake the resolve of a person who has decided to accept the ultimate vow because he does not take this vow of some momentary excitement, agitation or passions. He accepts this resolve sagaciously to win over death and fear of death playfully. Thus there is a fundamental difference between suicide and meditational death in terms of cause, purpose, as well as means.
EFFECT OF FOOD ON THOUGHTS
Like all beings man is also a slave of his taste buds. Hunger can be satiated with tasteless and desiccated food. But once satiated man thinks of gratifying his taste buds with the food he is already eating or some additional means. If he likes rich, sweet, or pungent food he works to arrange for such food and eat. There is a complete science of food that includes topics like When to eat and what to eat? Food should be healthy and nutritional. It should be simple, non-toxic, and pure. One should avoid food that does not suit his nature and system. Heavy, difficult to digest, and indigestible food should be avoided. Only balanced diet that keeps bodily humors steady should be eaten. Food suitable for the specific season should be eaten. If care is not taken to eat such food there are adverse effects on general health resulting in ailments and suffering. When the body is not healthy so is the mind. Mind is healthy only when the body is healthy. An unhealthy mind makes soul also unhealthy. Agitation, worries, and ill feelings infiltrate an unhealthy mind and it gets perturbed and disconcerted. If the body is unhealthy it becomes a continuous source of pain. A person with unhealthy body and mind is unable to practice religion in peace and tranquility. His ideal resolves are never accomplished. He has a weak willpower and wavering determination. Success in worldly affairs cannot be achieved without strong determination. In the field of religious practices even stronger determination is required.
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