Basic Principles Of Jainism

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

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Meditation does not mean suppression of mental function. Any attempt towards its suppression makes the mind more restless. The question then arises, what to do to achieve concentration? The answer is simply-'See yourself and realize the Self".
Sallekhana and Santhārā
Death is inevitable and needs no proof. We all see people dying around us all the time. All that are born have to die, sooner or later. Though death is so natural that comes to all without any discrimination, the dying very seldom take it so naturally. The reason behind the fear of death, basically, lies in two things: 1) the love for life, and 2) the uncertainty associated with the afterlife.
No matter what the quality of life that a living being enjoys or suffers, it does not wish to die but wishes to live on. Even the poor and the miserable who can be heard as wishing to die all the time, back out when the death comes, and beg to live on. Life is dearest thing and one wants to hold on to it as long as possible.
The fear and misery associated with death can be overcome if we can address the causes that result in such fear and misery. Firstly, the love of life and the desire to live on springs from a lack of appreciation of the purpose of life as well as a lack of belief in life after death. The believers of rebirth and afterlife, to that extent, feel less frightened and miserable as compared to those who believe that there is nothing but perpetual darkness after this life. Also, an appreciation of the purpose of life gives one a balanced outlook towards life and when one feels that, due to a variety of reasons, the body is unable to fulfil that purpose, one is prepared to face death with dignity in the hope of a suitable rebirth and of regaining a body capable of achieving the purpose of life better in the next birth. For such believers, present life is one in a continuum of lives in which the purpose of life is to be fulfilled. For such believers the death ceases to be frightening.
Secondly, for a reasoning being that a human being is, the afterlife is also not such an unknown commodity after all. The quality of afterlife largely depends on the activities of the present and past lives. Therefore, if one has led a pious life, he can be reasonably sure of a good afterlife and it certainly reduces the fear of death just like in the case of a traveller who has made all necessary reservations and travel arrangements and, consequently, can hope to have a good trip with a pleasant and comfortable stay in his destination.
Spiritually speaking, when the body becomes so weak, due either to extreme old age or incurable disease, that it can no longer perform the duties expected of it, it becomes a burden. Then, there comes a time when the enlightened aspirant must realize that it is best for him to accept death as a natural corollary to life rather than to hang on to the slender thread of life. It is then that an enlightened aspirant meets death at its face value and gives up life support systems such as food, treatment etc., and waits for death rather than death stalking him. It is then that he adopts a disposition of equanimity and does not get perturbed by the imminent death. Actually,
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