Jain Gazette 1920 06

SR No.: 542650
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jagnanderlal Jaini, Ajit Prasada, C S Mallinath Jain
Publisher: Jaina Gazette Office
Publication Year: 1920
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Gazette, & India
File Size: 7 MB

Page 25

THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
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tranquillity and joy in Nirvana, on the other side of the troublous sea of Samsara ; i.e., (transmigration). of The householder, who also aspirez for Moksha, in the long run, knows that it cannot be obtained except by severe self-discipline of a type which is not attainable by him as a layman. He therefore only aspires to perfect himself in the first instance in his own Dharma (duties), so that he may reach Sannyâsa in due course of time. The merit to be acquired by leading the life of a Sravaka (house-holder), as enjoined in the Scriptures, even if death occur before Sannyasa is attained, is sure to lead to happy prosperous circumstances and surroundings in the next birth, and thus enable the soul to achieve its object in one or more incarnations with ease. You will now understand why all religions preach with one voice :
"Lay not up for yourself treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: hut lay for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matt. VI. 19-20). .: As wealth passes not the barrier of the grave, but merit does, it is enjoined :
"Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth" (Luke XII, 33).
As for the conflict between the different ideals, of a layman's life, Kâma, no doubt, regards the world as full of beauty and joy and longs for the pleasures which it can afford, but reason tells us that all these alluring visions of a beautiful world are liable to be speedily dispelled unless we possess or procure the means to pay for our joys. Thus Kâma mast be subordinated to wealth and to those other things and principles--observance of the rules of moral and social codes and the like-which are necessary for the acquisition of wealth. These are collectively known as Artha (wealth, affluence or prosperity) and have to be observed if we are not to come to grief suddenly in onr headlong rush for worldly pleasures and lasts. . Indiscriminate indulgence is opposed to every form of civilisation, with this difference that in its non-Indian type the fabric of