First Steps to Jainism Part 1

SR No.: 001640
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 300
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Education
File Size: 10 MB

Page 37

The Seven Fundamentals 23
Items responsible for Influx (i) False faith (ii) Undisciplined life (iii) Negligence (iv) In-discretion (v) Passions
Items responsible for Prevention
Right faith Disciplined life Vigilance Discretion Control over Passions.
On the positive side the purpose of prevention is automatically achieved by following the code of daily conduct for monks and laymen prescribed in great detail which is summarised in brief as under :
Five Vows-i.e. the vows of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, chastity
and non-accumulation should be practised. (ii) Control of mind, speech and body. (iii) Vigilance in movement, speaking, eating, handling things and evacua -
tion. (iv) Observance of ten commandments of Jainism i.e. forgiveness, humility,
honesty, truthfulness, purity of mind, mercy, penance, renunciation
avoidance of greed and chastity. (v) Meditation of twelve subjects e.g. contemplation of the Universe,
religion, transitoriness of existence etc. (vi) Toleration of sufferings of twenty two types i.e. tolerance of hunger,
thirst, cold, heat, insect bite, sickness, thorns, dirt, etc.
It will be seen that all the above discussion leads to Jain ethics which has described the duties of monks and laymen in the greatest detail. It is the most glorious part of Jainism. At the same time it is simple and practicable leading to the greatest good of greatest number. To summarise it is stated that just as one, who wants to empty a tank full of water, has to stop the inflow, while throwing out the accumulated water, to achieve the purpose in hand, similarly those desirous of liberation of soul from the accumulated karmas, by practising the methods of prevention described, stop the inflow of matter (karma bodies into soul) and pave the way for segregation or separation of accumulated karma bodies from the soul which is the subject of the next item.