Prabuddha Jivan 2016 06

SR No.: 526095
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sejal Shah
Publisher: Mumbai Jain Yuvak Sangh
Publication Year: 2016
Total Pages: 44
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Prabuddha Jivan, & India
File Size: 2 MB

Page 41

JUNE 2016
PRABUDDH JEEVAN
41
Jainism, because it has been asserted that only on in their pursuit of religion. the acquisition of right belief, the knowledge and (vi) Sthitikarana-anga that is, one should sustain souls conduct become right.
in right convictions. One should have the quality The term Right Belief has been defined by Acharya of rehabilitating others in the path of right faith or Umāsvāmi in his authoritative Jaina sacred text entitled conduct by preaching them or reminding them of Tattvarthādhigama-sutra as follows: "Tattvārtha- the religious truths whenever they are found to be sraddhānam samyag-darsanam - chapter 1, sutra 2, going astray. that is, right belief is the faith in the true nature of the (vii) Vatsalya-anga, that is, one should show affection substances as they are. In other words, right belief towards the spiritually advanced by receiving them means true and firm conviction in the seven principles with courtesy and looking after their comforts. or tattvas of Jainism as they are, without any perverse (viii) Prabhavana-anga that is, one should endeavour notions.
to demonstrate and propagate the greatness of the Further, it is maintained that right belief consists in Jaina tenets and scriptures. One should try to believing that
wean people from wrong practices and beliefs by (i) the Jaina Arthas including the Tirthankaras are establishing to them the importance of the true the supreme beings
religion by arranging religious functions and (ii) the Jaina Sāstras are the true scriptures, and
charities. (iii) the Jaina Gurus are the true Preceptors.
(3) Avoidance of Superstitious Beliefs Moreover, it is also asserted that such right belief It is also laid down in Jaina scriptures that right belief (a) Should have eight angas, i.e essential requisites should be free from the following three kinds of (b) Should be free from three kinds of mudhatās, i.e. mudhatas, i.e superstitious beliefs : superstitious beliefs, and
(0) Loka-mudhata is the false belief in holiness. It (c) Should be free from eight kinds of mada, i.e. pride relates to taking baths in certain rivers, jumping or arrogance.
down the peaks of mountains and entry into fires (2) Requisites of Right Belief
under the supposition of acquiring merit for The Jaina scriptures state that the right belief should themselves or for their kith and kin be characterized by eight angas, i.e essential (ii) Deva-mudhata is the belief in false gods. It accepts requisites or components or limbs, and that these the efficacy of village gods and goddesses who angas determine the excellence of right belief. These are endowed with ordinary human qualities and eight angas which support the right belief are:
attempts to propitiate them. This superstition (i) Nihsankita-anga, that is, one should be free from consists in believing in gods and goddesses who
doubt about the truth or validity of the tenets of are credited with passionate and destructive Jainism.
powers, willing to oblige the devotees by grant of (ii) Nihkanksita-anga, that is one should have no love favours they pray for.
of linking or desire for worldly enjoyment as (iii) Pakhandi-mudhata is the belief in and respect for everything is evanescent.
dubious ascetics. It shows regard for false (iii) Nirvichikitsita-anga, that is one should decline to ascetics and considers their teaching as gospel
have an attitude of scorn towards the body even of truth. It refers to entertainment of false ascetics though it is full of impurities and should have and respecting them with a hope to get some regard for the body as it can be purified by the favours from them through magical or mysterious three jewels of right faith, right knowledge and right powers exercised for personal gain or show of conduct.
power. (iv) Amudhadrsti-anga, that is, one should have no Thus the mind must be freed from such superstitious
inclination for the wrong path or one should be beliefs and any doubts so that the ground can be made free from perversity and superstition.
clear for the rise and development of right belief. (v) Upaguhana-anga, that is one should maintain (4) Freedom from Pride :
spiritual excellence and protect the prestige of that Besides the avoidance of these three kinds of faith when it is faced with the risk of being belittled superstitious beliefs, the mind must be made free from on account of the follies and shortcomings of the eight kinds of mad or pride: jnāna(learning), others. In other words, one should praise the pious puja(worship), kula(family), jāti(caste, or contacts and but should not decride those who may be faltering family connections), bala (power or one's own strength)