Basic Principles Of Jainism

Author(s): Narayan Lal Kachhara
Publisher: Narayan Lal Kachhara

Page 75

and conduct. The mind becomes free from prejudices and dislikes and gains in purity of thought and action. It adds dignity to one's personality and enhances one's prestige.
Everything that spoils the purity of mind and thought is the result of bad Karma. So is pride. Therefore all efforts should be made to overcome that weakness and stop further sinning by proper self evaluation. Humility is only one aspect of Right Faith; it is dawn of Right knowledge which infuses the true values of life. A person with such knowledge would regard all objects as passing phases of worldly existence and would realize that there is no reason for being proud of any of them. None of them can conduce to his spiritual well-being or advancement. He would discard them as wasteful objects of material life retarding the progress of the soul. One should constantly endeavour to be free from all conceits and acquire such faith and knowledge as will bring about subsidence of accumulated karmas. 3) Uttama Arajva or Supreme straightforwardness
Uprightness in conduct is the hall mark of every good person. Every good man is consistent in his thoughts, words and deeds while the reverse is the case with a bad person. Consistency is a virtue and inconsistency is a vice. It is only a person of veracity that can practice true religion because religion requires him to be honest with himself and with others. "By simplicity he will become veracious; and thereby he will practice the law" says Bhagavan Mahavira.
Straightforwardness in dealings is the key to success in worldly life. It evokes confidence and trust in others. It conduces to clarity of intellect and purity of thought. It leads to honesty of purpose of thought and action. The mind of such a person will always be peaceful. He would not have any occasion for anger which is root cause of physical and mental ailments.
Deceit and cunningness bring in the influx of new karmas because they defile the mind and thoughts. When detected, they bring disgrace and loss of personal prestige. A straightforward person will have no quarrels with others and his mind would be free from passion or greed. He would be able to purge off his sins and prevent the influx of new karmas. He would be friendly with everybody and would have no occasion to give offence to anybody. 4) Uttama Satya or Perfect Truthfulness
The topic of "truth" is discussed under the title of five Anuvratas in chapter 13. The fact that it is also included in the category of ten noble virtues only indicates that Jainism attaches very great importance to it as its practice in everyday life is the key to purity of life. Mahatma Gandhi regarded Truth and Non-violence as the basis of private and public life. Both are like two sides of a coin. Truth is the law of our being. He was a great seeker after Truth and was bent upon finding it. To him, truth was identical with God. Truth is what the voice within tells you, says Gandhiji. Truth cannot be realized by one who has no humility. "Where there is no Truth, there can be no true knowledge." Truth, like bliss, is eternal.... Out of Truth emanate love, tenderness and humility. A votary of Truth has to be humble as the dust. His humility increases with the observance of Truth.