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Chapter 08
Bon Po Religion
‘Bon' and 'Jainism' accept the process of cognitive transfer necessary for the attainment of the highest state of consciousness Through the Cognitive change in consciousness the highest state of being can be achieved. It is 'Sgom Dhyan' that brings inner change. All sins, all wicked thoughts, turn into wisdom. All visible and invisible objects enter into the pure region of Bonku. It is the region of pure consciousness and this is the basic essence of cognitive change in 'Bon'. Jainism also accepts cognitive change in consciousness. This cognitive change is possible through equanimity in thought and action. Non-duality of thought and action in all walks of life and in each act is the surest way to attain the highest state of consciousness "Equanimity in one's own being and with others is the essence of Jainism. Vigilantly one must follow it in all walks of life. To feel the other person's suffering as one's own. This feeling of equanimity alone can bring about a qualitative change in consciousness. Thus 'Bon' and 'Jainism' accept "cognitive change” as an instrument to achieve pure consciousness. The cognitive change of consciousness must be self earned and self born. The truth is not acquired through Shastras but it should be self generated. Self purification is achieved through self effort. It must be self born. This is accepted by both Bon and Jainism. “Vision of Bon” or the state of Bonku is self born. Truth is a matter of self acquisition. It is acquired only through personal efforts, Shastras and traditions are just instrumental. They have only an instrumental value to strengthen one's own efforts. According to Jainism self-purification is the ultimate goal. Self purification should be a perennial pursuit of life. This is an inner voyage. Jainism has charted this inner voyage very systematically and authentically. This inner voyage ought to be self-trodden. 'Bon' and 'Jainism' both accept the annihilation of karmas as a vital means to achieve self-purification 'Bon' do understand the impurities in life and that it is a poison. They come from the outside - from the demons. It is not something given in one's own nature. Impurities are not in one's mind or in one's own nature. These impurities bind us like an evil spirit. To break the cycle of karma, physical and spiritual purity is needed. Thus the annihilation of karma is important for 'Bon'. According to Jainism desire is the motivating force of karmas. Ignorance and attachment predominant factors in human personality, which need not allow us to capture the right knowledge. Suffering according to Jainism is caused by ignorance and attachment, which hinders the path of Truth. Through right knowledge and by the annihilation of attachment one can rise beyond the state of suffering. The analysis of karma is very basic and unique of its own kind. In Jain tradition karma is the product of attachment and hatred. It hinders the true knowledge of the self and
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Bon and Jain Religion - A comparative study
| SR No. | 009860 |
| Book Title | Ashtapad Maha Tirth 02 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Rajnikant Shah, Others |
| Publisher | USA Jain Center America NY |
| Publication Year | 2012 |
| Total Pages | 532 |
| Language | Hindi, Sanskrit, Gujarati |
| Classification | Book_Devnagari |
| File Size | 26 MB |