Positive Contents of jainism

SR No.: 250247
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Joharimal Parikh
Publisher: Z_Parshvanath_Vidyapith_Swarna_Jayanti_Granth_012051.pdf
Publication Year: 1994
Total Pages: 15
Language: English
Classification: Article & Philosophy
File Size: 927 KB

Page 14

20
Joharimal Parekh
heaven have celebrated such befitting occasions. Uttarādhyayana (29/43 ) says that by the best vaiyāvrtya one becomes Tirtharikara in future lives the highest reward.
So it can safely be concluded that monks as well as house-holder both can render service and though the service of fellow religious house-holders by the former is a controversial topic yet by the latter quite permissible. Therefore, a Jaina should never shirk from this vaiyāvrtya - a pious action.
Thus for every one dose of inactivity (samyama ) two doses of activity (Ahimsā and Tapa) have been prescribed by Jaina religion ? And in this way, seen from whatever angle whether theological, philosophical, metaphysical or religious, Jainism is much more positive than negative.
Besides, to any serious student of Jaina Agamas, it would be quite obvious that Bhagavāna Mahāvira was a hard task master and meant business. He did not spare even the women, untouchables, youngsters, house-holders, etc. from religious excercise, only the under age and the old can take excuses of non-eligibility and disabilities. Consequently this is the most practical approach for him. Vyavahāra-naya (practical view point) is as much truth as Niscaya-naya (theoretical view point ) is and at times according to him ends justify means. For example a person chased by his would be murderer, hides to my knowledge, even then on being asked the whereabouts of the hiden, I should plead ignorance before the follower because "sadabhyohitaṁ satyaṁ" is the amended version of truth for Jainas. Clearly this liberal, flexible and tolerant attitude would be redundant had the Jaina philosophy not believed in Pravriti, action and positivity. And inspite of this anekānta, if the charge of escapism, negativism and inactivity is labelled against Jainism, it will remain unproved like an earlier charge of heretictity ( Nāstikatā ). To mention in the end as in the beginning, Tilak, after perusing the manuscript of the book 'Jaina Karma Yoga' written by late Acārya Budhisāgara, opined as under, "Had I known that you are writing your Karma-yoga, I might not have written my karma-yoga". I think no better certificate or any other authority is needed to establish our case. Reference
1. Thāņānga 345, Bhagavati 30-1-1, Sūtrakstānga 1.12/1. 2. Paggāma Sajjhāya. 3. Sūtrakrtānga I. 12/4. 4. Ibid, 1. 10/16.