Essence of Jainism

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

Page 81

Heart of Jaitia Culture
(3) A
Beliefs and Thoughts of Nivartaka Dharma
Centuries back, slowly and steadily, so many beliefs and conduct that had already developed as limbs of Nivartaka dharma upto the time of Mahavira and Buddha, are as follows in brief : (1) Purity of the Self is the basic aim of life and not the
importance of the status - this-worldly or other-worldly. (2) Completely uprooting the spiritual delusion, nescience and the
desires born thereof in the fulfilment of this purpose. Acquiring spiritual knowledge for this purpose and thereby making the dealings of the world bereft of desire. Following various types of dhyana and Yoga paths and various types of physical, mental, oral and other austerities and the observance
of thiee, four or five great vows. (4) Taking as authority only those words and statements that
describe spiritualism as stated by men with spiritual experience. They looked upon as authority not those statements that are divine and not composed by human beings or works written
in some special language. (5) Ooly spiritual purity should be looked upon as the only fest
of the qualification and teachership, and not any particular class by birth. From this point of view, even woman and Śūdra have the same right to religion on equal status with
Brabmins and Ksatriyas. (6) Prohibition of the use of wine, meat etc. in religious and
social life. These are traits of Pravartaka dharma in which conduct and thought differed. These were rooted deep in the land and were getting stronger day by day.
Nirgrantha Cult
of the institutions and cults that had the abovementioned traits, there was one ancient cult of Nivartoka dharma which continued to evolve in its own way centuries before Mahāvisa. In the same cult earlier, renowned personalities were born. They wero Nabbinandana Rşabhadeva, Yadunandana Neminātha, and