Humanism of Haribhadra

SR No.: 269045
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Christian Lindtner
Publisher: Z_Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_1_002105.pdf and Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_2
Publication Year: 2004
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Article & Ascetics
File Size: 2 MB

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Christian Lindtner
Jambu-jyoti
5.
6.
When one is certain that the soul here [in this world) is either entirely one, eternal and unbound, or, momentary [and] unreal, (and one) therefore regards normal life as being without value... Then this kind of dispassion is said to have delusion (about the soul] as its origin. [It applies to a person) who is calm so as to abandon this [i.e. normal life), and who also sincerely behaves in a good way. Most of these souls, as they transform, are, of course, bound by external desire, etc. Due to this, woe! the souls remain in the normal cruel life. Those who see the truth say that dispassion associated with true knowledge consists in having understood so [i.e. in knowing) how to abandon this [namely samsāra), and in its total abandonment. This necessarily comes about as a result of a complete understanding of the truth. So, this (dispassion associated with cognition of reality) is the means of attaining perfection, as the Jinas have, in fact, declared !
XI. Eight Verses on Austerity
Some [ignorant people) think that austerity (tapas) consisting in suffering (may bring about moksa), but this is not logical. This is because it is the nature of this sort of tapas) to arise as karma, just as in the case of the suffering of a bull, for instance..
If it were so, then all who practise tapas would have to suffer. This is because they are characterized by the specific property (namely suffering) of that (namely tapas), just like a rich man is (characterized] by a large amount of riches.
3.
Also, if so, according to your interpretation, great practitioners of tapas would have to belong in hell, etc. (which is, of course, characterized by suffering]. Since the most important thing for them is the happiness of equanimity, yogis are, however, not afflicted by suffering.
Therefore, intelligent people must abandon this kind (of bad tapas] as being foreign to logic and to the scriptures. Since it produces a kind of dhyāna that is not recommended, it mostly causes injury to oneself.
Since the Jinas have urged us never to relinquish the activity (yoga) of our mind and our senses, how, therefore, could it [namely tapas = yoga) possibly have the nature of suffering ?