________________
126
HERMANN KUHN
SUTRAS
temporary and do not contribute to inner growth. Each so-called progress is accidental and unstable.54
The next sutra continues to answer the objection:
SUTRA 32 सदसतोरविशेषाद्यदृच्छोपलब्धेरुन्मत्तवत् ॥ ३२ ॥ Sadasato ravishesadya drichchhopa labdhe runmattavat (32) Someone trapped in error does not discriminate between the real and the unreal. Like a lunatic he assigns meaning to objects and events that is subjected to his constantly changing moods. (32)
A lunatic who sometimes sees things clearly and calls them by their right name, is far from able to discriminate between right and wrong on a permanent basis. All his knowledge - even if he gets it right at times - is fundamentally flawed.
All those who focus their attention on material life are in a similar situation. No matter how comprehensive and refined their knowledge may appear, from the perspective of reaching ultimate freedom
54 We ourselves decide to which class of beings we belong. We either de
velop our potential abilities available to all beings, or we don't. We are bhavya when we orient towards growth and actively unfold our consciousness. If we do not to follow this direction, we consequently will not reach total freedom (abhavya).
All abhavyas foolishly confuse 'potential' and 'realization'. They pacify themselves with the suggestion that they COULD start any time. Yet a huge gap exists between potential and its realization. Of everything we do not do now - in the present, - we never know if we will ever do it 'later', or if conducive circumstances will ever occur again. - We also do not know if in our last 10.000 incarnations we haven't left this for tomorrow as well, - and then wonder, why 'this' life is not turning out as we desire. If we decide for procrastination now, we program ourselves to procrastinate in future as well.
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org