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22 Jaina Perspective in Philosophy and Religion doubly raised because both the Source as well as the Course of the Āgamas are pure.
The Place of Samayika - There are three distinctive contributions of Jainism to Indian Culture - Equality (Sama ), Self-control (Sama ) and Dignity of labour (Śrama ).1 Equality or Sámāyika is said to be the heart of Jainism. In the Jaina religious scripture, Dvadaśangi or in the 14th Pūrva, 2 the place of Samayika is the first and foremost among the six daily duties. Without the practice of Sāmāyika or equality, there is no hope for any religious or spiritual realisation. When a householder accepts the Jaina religion, he solemnly pledges to abide by the principle of equality.3 The whole of Višeşāvaśyaka-bhāșya of Jinabhadra Gani is an exposition of this principle of Sāmāyika. The three jewels of Jainism, i. e., Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct4 depend upon the principle of equality. The Gītā calls it the inner poise or the evenness of mind ( Samatvam5 ), or equal mindedness (Sama Cittatvam6 or Samata?) and such a man who attains this is called seer with an equal eye (Samadarsipaḥ8 or Sarvatra-sama-darśana'). This principle of equality must be reflected both in thought and action. In thought it is the principle of Anekanta, in action it is the principle of Ahimsa.
(a) Anekanta – Anekānta is the application of the principle of equality in the sphere of thought. Thus it is not a philo1. Sukhalal Sanghavi, Jaina Dharma kā Prāpa ( Kashi,
1952), p. 2. 2. This is called the Ācārānga Sūtra. 3. Karemi Bhante Samayeam. 4. Umāswämi, Tattvārtha-Sūtra, I. I. 5. Bhagavad-Gītā, II. 48. 6. Ibid, XIII. 9. 7. Ibid, X. 5. 8. Ibid, V. 18. 9. Ibid, VI. 29.
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