Essence Of Jaina Scriptures

SR No.: 022313
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jagdish Prasad Jain
Publisher: Kaveri Books
Publication Year: 2014
Total Pages: 508
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 38 MB

Page 91

INTRODUCTION
purity or the accomplishment of the objective of liberation, if there exists a slight taint of psychic impurities of pride, expectation, deluded view, etc. If a person continues to be imbued with internal infatuation or attachment to things, even renunciation of external attachment to objects and possessions is of no use (Bhava Pahuda 44-53).
On the other hand, a householder, who is endowed with an enlightened view and is well set in the path of liberation and is free from internal infatuation and deluded view, is declared to be superior to an ascetic who is imbued with a deluded view (Samantabhadra, Ratna Karanda Shravakachara (RKS 33).
A person should also have compassion for all living beings (PS 157), knowledge and virtue (Sheel Pahuda 2), observe the five great vows (NS 56-60, Charitra Pahuda 30) and possess virtues like contentment (Sheel Pahuda 19), forgiveness (Bhava Pahuda 107), modesty (Bhava Pahuda 104), moral emotions like fearlessness (SS 228), and universal love (maîtri or friendliness] (Charitra Pahuda 7) and propagation of values (Charitra Pahuda 7) – all these are intrinsically desirable. Experience of these intrinsic values is good in itself. Kundakunda states that good experience (or psychic dispositions or mental states] (shubha bhava), is intrinsically valuable (Bhava Pahuda 76). He speaks of shubha bhava as representing all that is intrinsically valuable (PS 9 and 46). 58
In Sheel Pahuda (verse 28), it is pointed out that although the sea is full of gems, it is called sea because of the water, in the same way as jiva possesses many gems like austerity, reverence, virtue (sheel) and charity. However, it is because of virtue (sheel) that a person attains the excellent state of liberation (nirvana). The five rules of moral conduct including non-violence come under sheel.
Commenting on Ashta Pahuda (verse 121), Pandit Jaichand Chhabra observes that auspicious attachment (shubha raga) is the condition or the supportive factor (nimitta) of the bondage of good karmas (punya bandha). However, since it has a purifying effect, it is also the cause of shedding of bad or evil karmas (papa karmas).
All religions place a premium on good conduct and virtue. The observance of sheel (virtue) is the sine qua non of a spiritual life. Lord Buddha laid great emphasis on sheel (virtue) and regarded it as the pre-condition for making any progress in a spiritual journey. Sheel (virtue), samadhi (concentration) and prajna (discriminating insight),