Essence of Jainism

Author(s): Sukhlal Sanghavi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 33

Initial background
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desire. That is the reason why they request in prayers the divine power, to give to them and their families as also their progeny cattle, prosperity etc. At the most they pray for long life. The basis of this state of being desirous develops during the period of the Brahmaņas. New and new paths of attaining to more and more this-worldly and other-worldly joys were planned during the period.
But, even while this perspective of religion had spread in the society, the attitude to the perspective seems to change. It struck to the mind of some sage or Ṛsi that seeking joys and enjoyments just for ones self or for ones family and group or clan, may be superior to those sought by others. It is yet no perspective of religion. A new movement spread from this thought and its magic became widely pervasive. Many experiments are undertaken in the age of some eight hundred or a thousand years before Christ, of this desireless perspective of religion, The Upanisads anal se the same perspective. The basis of the Jaina and Bauddha Sanghas is also laid in the same perspective. This desireless perspective of religion is the second stage of the vision of inner consciousness or development of religion. In this state, man first of all tries to purify himself and tries to experience a spirit of identity with the whole universe. In this, there is no regard whatsoever for the desire of any gross enjoyment, be it this-worldly or other-worldly.
From the idea that total des irelessness cannot be attained in family or society, the inclination of loneliness and a shelterlessness gets strong. It is popularised and strengthened, as if it were itself desirelessness or abstention from passion. Abstention from thirst or passions or the process of purification is replaced by the rejection of all activity The society experiences as if a mental inclina tion that living is itself a sin or a curse. At this time again, the perspective of desirelessness is improved upon. The Īśāvāsya Upanişad declares that the entire Universe is full with life-forces like ours. Therefore, wherever you go, you will come across enjoyers. The enjoyment of things is basically no fault; it is unavoidable for life. One should lead life keeping the idea of others facilities in mind, one should not covet the wealth of others. Do
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