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COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
repentance accompanied by right conduct rooted in right faith and knowledge can alone help the soul to become free from the Karmas of different kinds.
7 Uttama Tapas or Supreme Austerity
Practice of penance in order to destroy the accumulated Karmas is austerity. External austerities are of twelve kinds while the internal austerities are of six kinds. According to Umāsvāmi, the external austerities are : fasting, reduction of diet, restrictions on begging food, abstinence from delicious and stimulating foods or dishes, lonely habitation and mortification of the body. 5 We have already seen that Jainism attaches great importance to fasting as it promotes self-control, destruction of attachment of Karmas; it is an occasion for meditation, scriptural study and spiritual advancement. Control over diet is good not only for maintenance of sound health but also for development of selfcontrol, contentment and studious habits of life. Restriction on the number of houses in begging for food is intended for the ascetics. Avoidance of delicious and stimulating foods is quite essential for a quiet life of restraint; it curbs excitement of the senses and facilitates to observance of sexual restraint. An ascetic has to choose a habitation which is lonely so that he could lead an undisturbed life of celibacy, study and meditation. Mortification of the body is also for those who observe penance to be free from attachments and pleasures, while meditating on the self.
Expiation, reverence, service, study, renunciation and meditation are the internal austerities. These are for training the mind. Repentance for the past sins committed through negligence or under the influence of passions is expiation. Reverence towards the saints and rendering them useful service are other mental disciplines intended to purify the mind. Acquisition of spiritual knowlegde by' diligence is another internal austerity. Effacement of the ego is renunciation while concentration of all thoughts on the nature of self is meditation.
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