Jainism and Democracy

SR No.: 001645
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: I A S S Jain Conference New Delhi
Total Pages: 184
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & society
File Size: 8 MB

Page 38

RIGHT ATTITUDE
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This is possible only when the karmas or the matter polluting the soul are reduced to within a reasonable limit. This pollution is known as moha, illusion, or perversion, which is again divided into two, viz., perversion in attitude and perversion in conduct. The latter is elaborated in four types of passions: anger, conceit, crookedness and greed. Only when the effect of the two types of moha is reduced to below a certain maximum, and the inner light of the soul therefore begins to pierce it with its rays, does the right attitude dawn.
The external form of right attitude consists in three "adoptions' of a right ideal; of a right preceptor and of the right path. In Jainism the ideal is represented by the perfect soul free from the obscuring, debasing or weakening pollutions. This ideal is personified by the Arihanta, i.e., the perfected soul in physical existence, and the Siddha, i.e., the same out of physical existence. The right preceptor is not only cognizant of the way but is a traveller on it who has renounced all other ambitions and activities and made this journey the sole aim of his life. He voluntarily impose on himself all the disciplines, restrictions and rigours required for progress in that journey. The path is that taught by the perfected souls, those perfect in knowledge and perfectly free from attachment and hatred or other passions.
Though Jainism also deteriorated later into a sect and the above three constituents of right attitude were identified with particular personal beings, in the beginning they were stated in a form absolutely free from that bias. Pure Jainism is the worship of pure principles,