$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 93

This Eightfold pride disturbs the social, intellectual and spiritual progress of the aspirant. One should therefore know fully this Eightfold pride, abandon it in the daily routine of life and resort to humility. If this is done, humility as a virtue will reveal itself in a short time. Humility is the ladder that leads to true philosophical thinking and a happy life. Types of Humility There are numerous types of humility. A few important ones are:
Humility of right knowledge (Jnän Vinay); a) treating knowledge and those who have acquired knowledge with devotion, b) honoring them, c) noble contemplation on what our Tirthankar has said, d) putting in self effort to acquire knowledge and e) putting knowledge into practice. Humility of right belief (Darshan Vinay); respect for the right faith, respect for people who have the
right faith and, the self-effort needed to acquire the right faith. • Humility of right conduct (Charitra Vinay); respect for right conduct, respect for persons who have
the right conduct and self-effort to practice the right conduct. Humility of right austerity (Tapa Vinay); respect for right austerity, respect for persons who practice right austerity and, self-effort to practice right austerity. Humility towards the spiritual leaders and great people (Upachär Vinay), one must be polite towards elders and spiritual superiors. One should bow (Pranäm) to them. One must offer them a seat. When they are passing by, one should stand up with respect. One should behave
him/herself in their presence, with decency. Fruits of Humility There are many fruits of adopting humility in daily conduct. Some are as follows: When one becomes considerate of other people's inconveniences, speech becomes softer and courteous, not authoritative, not aggressive, and without hidden intent. A loving conduct and a spirit of tolerance are developed. We learn to apologize when a mistake is made. Real greatness starts emerging, and boasting ends. We start seeing the positive side of others rather than the negative side. We learn to respect others as our equals. We give up the habit of comparing ourselves with others. "l" is replaced by "WE". There is no presumption about what is right and wrong. Just as trees rich in fruits hang low, similarly, people with true humility always look humble. Like sugar in milk, if humility is associated with knowledge, one attains real greatness. Humility is the root of the process of purification. It is the necessity for social, professional, intellectual, mental, and spiritual prosperity. Summary Humility is the king of all characteristics. Ego destroys everything we work for. Vinay should be synchronized in all three phases: in action, in speech, and in thinking. Without humility, one cannot have right knowledge. Without right knowledge, one cannot have right faith. Without right faith, one cannot have right conduct. Without the right conduct, one cannot achieve Moksha. Let us develop this great virtue. Saralatä (Straightforwardness) Deceit implies falsehood, cheating, dishonesty, trickery, corruption, bribery and crookedness. The opposite of deceit is Saralatä (straightforwardness). The virtue of being straightforward (candid, forthright, sincere, straight or frank) is the virtue that we sometimes refer to as "simplicity." It entails consistency in the activities of mind, speech, and body. To make progress, say exactly what is in your
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