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The Doctrines of the Jainas
Jaina rules of eating and drinking and such outer manifestations.
"The virtuous heroes of faith have chosen the great road, the right and certain path to perfection."
-Sutrakrtanga Sutra
To entrench ourselves in right practice and develop right faith we must acquire the knowledge of true doctrine and, further, develop and feel devotion to those who know the Truth of Ahimsa.
Another excuse brought forward by men and women is this: “We have our obligations, our dharma to parents and children, to earn our livelihood, etc." The Jaina teachers answer: Make karma and dharma avenues to practise daily and hourly Ahimsa.
“Not desirous of fine things, he should wander about, exerting himself; not careless in his conduct, he should bear whatever pains he has to suffer.
"If beaten, he should not be angry; if abused, he should not fly into a passion; with a placid mind he should bear everything and not make a great noise.
"He should not enjoy pleasures though they offer themselves; for thus he is said to reach discernment. He should always practise what is right to do in the presence of the enlightened ones."-Sutrakrtanga Sutra.
It is fully recognized that to practise all this is most difficult. Our old habits, our educational and social upbringing etc., put many obstacles in our way but Jainism teaches that we could and should "practise the very
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