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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
well-versed in the scripiures is not self-disciplined and does not practise all the austerities, his knowledge will be of no use. He will be in the position of a donkey which carries sandal wood without the enjoyment of its fragrance. The Karmas have to be destroyed by action. Conduct becomes perfect only when it is in tune with Right Faith and Right Knowledge,
Right Conduct will elevate the soul while subduing the activities of the senses and the mind. It results from purity of thought and self-discipline. Since sins of the body are more harmful than the sins of the mind, the Jaina thinkers have attached very great importance to conduct; because it affects not only the doer but also others. Conduct is the external manifestation of the will in the form of an act, speech or writing. Since it affects the self and others, it ought to be marked by righteousness, compassion, kindness and freedom from anger, hatred, pride or disgust.
So, the Jaina ethics covers the entire field of human activity, personal as well as social behaviour. Ahimsā or non-viole love towards all, forms the basis of right conduct. It illumines the self and endows the individual with spiritual strength.
It is a matter of common experience and knowledge that There are differences in the level of mental equipment of individuals. That is why Right Conduct or samyak-cäritra has been conceived of as of two categories : sakala (complete) and vikala (partial). The former involves practice of all the rules of conduct with rigour and higher degree of spiritual sensitivity while the latter involves practice of the same with as much increasing degree of diligence and purity as might be possible. Sakala-cāritra is therefore meant for an ascetic; it is muni-dharina. Vikala-caritra is for householder.
Since the object of Right Conduct is destruction of Karmas while securing peace of mind and happiness in daily life, the Uttarādhyayana Sūtra prescribes certain broad guidelines for its achievement : i) Sāmāyika is avoidance of everything sinful.
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