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It is said that the virtuous are worthy of respect. Humility is essential in life. Jain Agamas consider humility as the foundation of religion. The Agam literature elaborates on humility, but it is true that Jainism is not about blind subservience. In the time of Lord Mahavira, there was a sect whose followers would bow to any animal or bird they encountered on their path. Lord Mahavira clearly stated, "Human! Your mind is not meant to bow to the feet of the unworthy." Being humble is one thing, but bowing to every individual as if they are divine is another. Jainism emphasizes the worship of virtues. It bows to the feet of the virtuous. To bow to virtues means to embrace them. If a seeker bows to an unrestrained, degenerate person whose life is filled with misconduct, desires, and flames of attachment and aversion, it means encouraging those vices. Acharya Bhadrabahu, in his work "Aavashyak Niyukti," clearly states that such unworthy individuals should not be bowed to, as they are unworthy of respect. Bowing to unworthy individuals does not lead to the shedding of karmas nor does it enhance one's reputation. Approving of unrestraint and misconduct leads to the binding of new karmas. Therefore, bowing to them is futile. An unworthy individual who knows that their life is a storehouse of vices, if they receive a bow from virtuous individuals, they pollute their own life. They increase their unrestraint and bring about their own downfall.
From the Jain perspective, both material and emotional character are essential in a seeker. If there is no material character, only emotional character, it is not commendable. Because for ordinary seekers, their pure character is their guide. If there is only material character and no emotional character, it is also not praiseworthy. It is merely a facade. A seeker needs a guru whose material and emotional character are both pure, whose life is complete in both behavior and conviction. Only such a virtuous guru is worthy of respect and praise. From such a virtuous guru, a seeker can receive pure inspiration. The practice of bowing in "Aavashyak Niyukti" is to bow to such a virtuous guru.
Bowing eliminates ego, leads to humility, and expresses unwavering devotion to virtuous teachers. Following the commands of the Tirthankaras leads to the worship of pure religion. Therefore, a seeker should constantly be aware and bow. There should be no negligence in bowing. When the source of devotion flows in the seeker's inner mind, they spontaneously bow to the feet of the virtuous teachers. Bowing that is not primarily driven by devotion, but by fear, temptation, reputation, or other such emotions, is merely material bowing, not emotional bowing. Material bowing often leads to the binding of karmas. Bowing done with pure and unblemished emotions is the true bowing. Acharya Malayagiri wrote, "Material bowing is a sign of false vision, but emotional bowing is a sign of right vision."
- Aavashyak Niyukti 1108
1. Pasatthai vandamanassa neva kitti na nijjarahoai.
Kayakilesam emeva kunai tah kammabandham cha.
2. Je bhamchearabhatta pae uddanti bhambayarinam.
Te honti kunt muntaa bohi ya sudulhaa tesim.
- Aavashyak Niyukti 1109
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