Jainism a Way of Life

SR No.: 250176
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: B P Wadia
Publisher: Z_Vijay_Vallabh_suri_Smarak_Granth_012060.pdf
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 8
Language: English
Classification: Article & Philosophy
File Size: 552 KB

Page 7

JAINISM: A WAY OF LIFE
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.
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"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 at 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."-Sütrakṛtānga 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 difficult Law according to the faith." (Uttaradhyayana Sutra)
And how clearcut and strong is the Puruşartha Siddhyupaya :
"Right belief is conviction in one's own self. Knowledge is a knowledge of one's own self. Conduct is absorption in one's own self. How can there be bondage by these?
Sometimes people think that only when a Jaina man or woman gives up the world and becomes a monk or a nun can the Inner Life be lived. That is not the teaching. The householder, who earns his livelihood, and the housewife, who is the queen of the home, can and should attain to heavenly heights. Anyway, that ought to be a new dispensation, a new way of living the higher life.
This volume is published to honour the memory of a saintly teacher and reformer. The work of Shri Mahāvīra Jaina Vidyalaya owes a great debt to the Acaryaji. As a devout follower of the great Masters of Jainism, he set an example which all of us should follow-by practising Ahimed. Non-violence, with the Tirthankaric Virya, the dauntless energy that fights its way to the supernal Truth.