Pearls of Jaina Wisdom

SR No.: 001668
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 368
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & Religion
File Size: 16 MB

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Pearls of Jaina Wisdom
Futility of Material Comforts
Lord Mahāvīra says that all material comforts and pleasures can never satiate anybody and give him true happiness. He preached the doctrine of non-possession to limit the desires for worldly pursuits. He says, "It is owing to attachment that a person commits violence, utters lies, commits theft, indulges in sex and develops a yearning for unlimited hoardings (Bha. Pa., 132 ). Possessiveness and greed are the main causes which create tension in the life of an individual and also in the society at large. Hence, an aspirant should limit his possessions and desires to the minimum extent.
Equality
Mahāvīra laid great stress on the equality of all human beings. Streessing action and not birth as a determining factor of superiority was a radical step in the teachings of Mahāvīra. He proclaimed, "A person does not become a monk by merely tonsuring, nor a Brahmana by reciting the Onkara Mantra, nor a Muni by living in the forest, nor a hermit by wearing clothes woven out of Kusa grass. One becomes a monk by equanimity, a Brahmana by celibacy, a Muni by his knowledge and a hermit by his austerities" (Utta. Sū., 25. 31, 32 ). He boldly condemned the caste system based on birth alone for the defects that had crept in it at that time. Lord Mahāvīra had great regard for women. He said that both men and women were eligible to attain emancipation after destroying the passions and karmas. He declared, "There are many virtuous women who are famous for their purity and chastity. They are like the goddesses before whom even the celestials bow" (Bh. Ā. 995).
Importance of Human Effort
The importance of human effort is emphasised by Mahāvīra which rules supreme in Jainism. He asserts in Uttarādhyayana Sūtra, "This life is most difficult to obtain. Just as the dry leaves of a tree wither away, so also when duration of life terminates human life too comes to and end ( Utta. Sū., 10. 1). It is only the stupid who