Jain Journal 1981 10

SR No.: 520064
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1981
Total Pages: 51
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

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JAIN JOURNAL
and it attracted many men and women. He emphasised the importance of soul and its transmigration due to the inflection of karma in the lifemonad. So long this inflection persists in the life monad, it cannot attain mokşa. One has to follow the triratna to attain it, no body else can do it for one's behalf. No worship of god or goddess can bring it to one. That is to say, every body has to work for himself as he himself alone is responsible for his own karma.
By its stress on the character of a man and holding before him the prospect of attaining moksa in this life and chalking out a definite mode of life for its followers, Jainism has become a way of life in a more effective sense than many other religions of this world. The triratna not only shows a man but also guides him to the path a mokşa. The triratna requires a strong will force to follow it, it entails no expenditure. Everyone who has the will and is ready to undergo the moral and spiritual practices can attain mokşa. Nothing else is necessary.
The Outlook for Jainism
The importance of Jainism lies in the generality of the triratna every man and woman can follow, even if he is not a Jaina. Its principle of ahimsā (not to injure), based on the philosophical idea of the equality of all lives has, for its corollary, the principle, 'do to others as you wish to be done by them'. If these two principles are followed in the society these will promote peace and friendship in the society and will thus end enmity in it. Thus these have a great practical value. And if these principles are extended to the world, these can play an international role in promoting peace and friendship there too. I feel, the success of these principles depends on how these are applied in practice.
The following of the triratna is sure to bring a change in the character of man and with it a change in the outlook of man. If there is an improvement in the character of man, the entire structure of the society will change for the better. Nothing else will be necessary to make the present unhappy, dissatisfied and harsh man happy, satisfied and humble. Thus, the triratna has a great social value in the present days.
Even a sceptic or an atheist who does not believe in religion, will find it profitable to observe or follow the triratna as it will certainly transform him to a better human being than he was before. The triratna is nothing but an ethical code, it is not a religious prescription. Even if we are all sceptic or atheist and do not believe in rebirth or in mokşa, we shall have not to think deep to realise the utility of the triratna, for