Essence of Jainism Part 01

Author(s): Kushalchandravijay
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

Page 27

unless the deed of agreement is registered, we do not acquire title to the said property. Even dissotion of the partnership requires a written notice to the other partners in order to make it valid. Similarly, we can save ourselves from sins only when we have taken a vow to renounce a possession or an eatable.
We would be a partner to the sins committed by a factory or a mill if we hold its share, but if we have transferred the shares to other, we are no longer responsible for the sins committed in running the factory.
Similarly we are exempted from sins only when a vow is taken to abstain from things. We do not gain any merit-punya even if we take our breakfast at nine a.m. without observing the 'navkarshi' vow. We may live on boiled mung water at the instance of our doctor's prescription but if we have not undertaken the 'Ayambil' vow, we do not get the benefit of practising the Ayambil penance.
Similarly, when we have taken a vow to abstain from certain things, which are not used by us and we will not use in future. We give up the desire and sense of attachment for them. This self- deninal or self-control prevants us from yielding to temptation when any one offers those things to us. This is how we get the benefit of the vow.
Absence of self-control leads us to ruin, but a life of self control leads us to health, happiness and bliss not only in this world but also in the next world.
Non-Attachment is the Fruit of Knowledge : The fruit of right knowledge is abstention from sinful activities. People perform activities of worship and samayik etc. as a routine to follow family tradition but if these activities are performed under a vow for a month or a year, they yeild manifold benefits. We must, therefore take at least 2 to 4 vows to escape from the partnership in sinful activities of the world. The Benefits fo Six Essential Duties :
(1) Idol Worship : This destroys troubles of all kinds and keeps our mind cheerful. Hence, always worship the idol.
(2) Devotion to Guru : When we come in contact with the monks or gurus, we develop a feeling of love, devotion and adoration for them. Devotion to them results in acquiring right knowledge which helps us to overcome wordly troubles and unhappiness.