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The Shri Sutra Kritanga Sutra, while explaining the principles of various scriptures, emphasizes the importance of giving, stating that it leads to great enjoyments. It also asserts that following ethical conduct leads to divine status, while contemplation leads to liberation, and austerity leads to the attainment of all virtues.
The Sutra further states that earth, water, fire, and air are the four elements. There is no soul, a substance that experiences pleasure and pain, beyond these elements. These elements appear beautiful due to their lack of contemplation, their inherent nature remaining unexplored. However, in reality, they are not real, as they are mere appearances, like dreams, illusions, mirages, and double moons. All substances are transient, devoid of self, and without a soul. Liberation is attained through the perspective of emptiness. Other emotions are experienced to achieve this liberation.
Thus, the Akriyavadis, who believe in the inactivity of the soul, explain their principles in various ways. They do not understand the true nature of things. Therefore, those who follow these principles keep revolving in the cycle of existence like a water wheel.
The Lokayatika-Charvaka school believes in complete nihilism, but there is no proof for it. The Jainas argue that all substances are unreal, which can be proven through logic. However, if logic itself is unreal, how can the unreality of substances be proven? If you accept logic as true, then our belief is proven, because just as logic is true, so are all substances.
The Charvaka school accepts only direct perception as evidence, but this is not logical. This is because the relationship between a father and his son in the past and the future cannot be understood by accepting only direct perception as evidence. The past and the future are not objects of direct perception. Accepting only direct perception as evidence would negate all worldly interactions. Therefore, other forms of evidence, such as inference, are also acceptable.
Similarly, those who believe in Buddhism accept all substances as transient. However, if substances are transient, their existence cannot be proven. This is because substances are related to action and causation. The one who acts is truly real. If substances are transient, they cannot perform actions sequentially, as sequential action contradicts transience. If all actions are performed in a single moment, then all actions should be performed in that single moment. However, this is not observed, desired, or possible.
The basis of all knowledge is a soul with qualities. Without this belief, knowledge like "I have known all five sense objects" cannot be attained, as it is a perception arising from the combination of perceptions. This has been explained earlier.
The Buddhists say that "giving leads to the attainment of great enjoyments." This is partially accepted by the Arhat Jains. Therefore, this belief does not pose any obstacle for us.
"Neither does it rise nor set, nor does the moon wax or wane. Waters do not flow, nor do winds blow, the whole world is barren."