What is Jainism

SR No.: 006714
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain
Total Pages: 210
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 11 MB

Page 207

THE RHYTHM OF JOY
Spiritual Nature, and have no foreign admixture left in the substance of their being.
Such is the thrilling effect of belief in its own freedom on the Spirit substance. Even in the condition of impurity a temporary realisation of the feeling of freedom is able to annul the adverse effect of the association of matter in a highly remarkable degree, as in the case of success in an examination. There is, thus, nothing surprising in the statement one reads in the Jaina Scriptures that the Saints enjoy such happiness as is even beyond words. For the true saint has no parigraha (foreign or external possessions), not even the modest bit of a loinstrip, to interfere with his appreciation of the sense of freedom, or to stand in his way in other ways. It may be stated that worry does not depend on the size or dimensions or even on the cash value of things. A langoti (the loinstrip) may, indeed, become the cause of as much annoyance and worry and distraction to one man as the loss of the world-famous Koh-i Noor would be to another! It is said of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, that he found such trifles as the ring on his finger and the border of his robe interfering with his prayers (see Religious Attitude and Life in Islam by Donald Black Macdonald, p. 298). Abul-Kasim of Geelani is also said to have discarded clothes altogether, to be free to pursue his ideal (ibid., 206). This is the reason why the Jaina saints dispossess themselves altogether of parigraha (foreign burdens).* Those, therefore, who long to enjoy the Joy of Gods should cultivate the emotion of Freedom in every possible way, by renunciation and the withdrawing of attention from the trinkets and togs of every description whatsoever.
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*
Parigraha is of two kinds: external and internal. External parigraha means worldly possessions, gold, silver, furniture, clothes and the like, but the internal parigraha (foreign burdens) are all those passions and impulsions and appetites and cravings, such as anger, pride, deceit, greed and sex-passion, that are foreign to the real nature of the spirit or soul substance.