$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

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

Page 83

PHILOSOPHY
B10 - Punya and Päp Karma
person. This way, we can stay calm even if things do not look quite right. If we can achieve that, there will be no place for quarrels around us and we will be able to live peacefully.
Anger is the first of four passions (Kashäya). Spiritually, anger hurts all living beings. Anger can become a reason for one's destruction.
07. Mäna:
It means the ego. Egoism, pride, arrogance, self-admiration, and conceit are all synonymous. The ego means thinking too much of the self. Due to the ego, we tend to look down upon others. Jain scriptures describe eight types of pride; intelligence, race, family, physical strength, accomplishments, appearance, penance and affluence.
This is the second of the four passions (Kashäya). It is difficult for one to overcome his ego. Because of the ego, our history is full of bloodshed. Today's political problems and violence are because of egotism. Egotism is one of the higher Päps. Ego should distinguish from self-respect, which one should always cultivate. Ego can be overcome by cultivating a sense of humbleness. Humility is the first step for acquiring right knowledge, right faith and right conduct.
In addition to thinking too highly of the self, egoism is the act of making assumptions about what you believe. Delusion is the greatest flaw that most human beings face and delusion is built out of an arrogance in one's beliefs and ideas. A cure to one's ego is Anekantvad. The ability to always accept that one's beliefs and opinions may not be 100% correct is a great quality that can suppress one's ego. Refer to the Gunasthanaks section (Gunasthanaks 7 to 11) for an even more detailed guide on how to suppress the ego and overcome delusion. Often this is the most difficult journey for many of the Tirthankars.
08. Mäyä:
It means to deceive, cheat, or mislead. A cunning person hides his malice thoughts behind sweet words. When we cheat and succeed in doing so, it leads to ego because we feel proud of what we have done even though it was wrong. When we are caught cheating, then we get into big trouble. A deceitful person is always fearful, restless and lakes peace of mind. Straightforwardness brings success in all areas like social, academic, professional and spiritual.
The opposite of Mäyä is straightforwardness (Saralatä). One, who has unity of his thinking, speaking and deeds (he does what he says and he says what he thinks), is a straightforward person. This kind of person is well respected by all and lives in day-to-day happiness. Because of his straightforwardness, his soul becomes lighter as he acquires less of Karma.
09. Lobha:
It means greed. Even if we have enough to meet our needs, we want more for the sake of having it, it is called greed. Desire is the root cause of greed. Moreover, there is no end to our desires. The more we get, the more we want. We should not forget that when we do not get what we want, we get angry. We become jealous of someone who may have what we want. To get what we want, we may use all wrongful means to get it. Most of the wars between nations are the result of greed of one to take over the other. Greed is not limited to the lust of wealth only; it can be for power, fame or even pleasure of five senses. Many more vices generate from greed.
Greed is the root of all sins (and the other three passions). Four passions: anger, greed, ego, and deceit are the main culprits for the cycle of birth and death. They are difficult to control. If one conquers these four, then he can attain Moksha. One acquires a lot of Karma because of his greed. Under the influence of greed, one forgets his duties, laws, ethics, morals, etc. A subtle level of greed exists, even in the tenth Gunasthäna. That is why it is said, "Loho Savva Vinäsano"- greed destroys all merits. Greed can lead to all other passions. Therefore, instead of being greedy let us be content and share with others what we have. If everybody does that, then there will be peace and harmony among us.
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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