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The Concept of Man in Jainism
Karmayogi Charukeerthi Bhattarak Swamiji (Shravanabelagola)
In Jainism self-realisation is accomplished through personal purity and renunciation. Jainisim considers man as a wanderer and wayfarer. There is little regard for worldly life and its accomplishments. Emphasis is laid more on man's inward lifc. High code of spiritual discipline is encouraged and prescribed. Austerity and self-control is the Jina's (Conqueror's) method of realising the self.
The Jain concept of man is one of commonsense realism and pluralism. A perfect man has the highest consciousness. Passions like anger, pride and greed cause bondage which can be got rid of through two processes, Samvara (stopping the influe of new karma) and Nirjara (wearing out the existing karma). Man can attain equanimity when he practises the three jewels (tri-ratna), namely, right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.
The concept of man in Jainism is both optimistic and realistic, not pessimistic as some advocate. The goal of life is the restoration of the pristine purity of the soul so that man may attain pure knowledge. Jainism prescribes “Manahashuddhi" or purity of mind as the path of salvation. Such purity is based on the control of the senses (samyama). One must struggle against the four Kashayas (passions) of anger, pride, deceit and greed. Mental equilibrium leads to the conquest of these four passions. Man must follow the ideal of universal friendship (maitri) and praise the good traits of others. Although man is constantly subject to the influx of karma-pudgala, he has in him infinite power for right action. Man's hope of salvation rests on his own efforts of driving away the past karma and preventing the fresh entry of new karma into his soul. The statement that Jainism is a religion of self-help is a result of the emphasis on individual effort. Man is the crown of this world.
The liberated soul in Jainism is a 'Siddha' who possesses God-like qualities and serves as a beacon-light for the world. He is free from the influx of karma and stays in a state of eternal blessedness. Such a person is called a Jina (Victor) and Vira (hero). He is intrinsically holy, positively detached, actively self-controlled
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| SR No. | 014038 |
| Book Title | World Jain Conference 1987 4th Conference |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Satish Jain, Kamalchand Sogani |
| Publisher | Ahimsa International |
| Publication Year | 1987 |
| Total Pages | 202 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Seminar & Articles |
| File Size | 7 MB |