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JAINISM AND ITS ANTIQUITY
Jainism prescribe a code of conduct which requires an individual to be an ideal person with abimsā as the foundation of his life. It preaches universal love aiming at the good of every being in the world. Selfishness, greed, anger and pride are passions which are the main causes of our misery and pain. They are to be eschewed at all costs and are to be overcome by selflessness, charity, compassion, forgiveness etc. which elevate the soul and contribute to the happiness of others in society. It has shown the way for attaining ethical and spiritual excellence gradually in eleven stages (pratimā) in the career of a house-holder, at the end of which one has cut all ties from family life. It recognises fourteen stages of spiritual evolution (gunastbảna) for the soul, the house-holder's eleven stages being included in the fifth stage here. The five small vows or the aņuvratas: not hurting any life, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and the need to impose limitations on one's own possessions, are rules to be observed in daily life. While they conduce to the well-being of the individual, they have immense implications of social good. Similarly, the other rules of daily study of scriptures, charity and worship help the layman to keep himself pure and upsullied in thought and action. The ethics for the monks and nuns are still more rigorous and comprehend all aspects of human life.
The Jaina rituals aim at helping the individual in the development of his devotion towards his religious ideal and attaintment of purity in thought, speech and action. They are intended to help man to lead a righteous life and strengthen his desire to realise the goal of perfection shown to him by the Omniscient Tirthankaras.
Jainism is a way of life shown by the Jinas or the Tirthankaras. It is a religion which helps its follower to destroy the Karmas and attain the highest happiness. The three Jewels viz. Right faith, Right knowledge and Right conduct together constitute the path of liberation or emancipa. tion. The three in unison can alone help the soul to reach
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