Facets of Jaina Religiousness in Comparative Light

Author(s): L M Joshi
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 43

FACETS OF JAINA RELIGIOUSNESS
teachings. As is well known, the Tattvärthasutra mentions ten-fold Dharma or virtuous conduct among means of arresting the defiling process of karmas. These ten aspects of Dharma are: forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, truthfulness, purity, restraint, austerity, renunciation, non-attachment, and chastity. The order of enumeration of these ten aspects of virtuous conduct is not identical in all the texts. The order in the Tattvärthasutra is as follows: kşamā, mārdava, ärjava, lauca, satya, samyama, tapa, tyaga, ākiñcanya, and brahmacarya. The Jñänärṇava has the following order:
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titikṣā mārdavam śaucam ārjavam satya samyamau brahmacaryam tapas tyaga akiñcanyam dharma ucyate/
The Yogatastra has still another order:
samyamaḥ sunṛtam saucam brahma akiñcanatā tapaḥ kşantir mardavam rjuta muktiś ca de sadha sa tua
The order given in the Kärttikeyanuprekṣā is identical with that of the Tattvärthasūtra except that the word nigganthattam (nirgranthatvam) is used in place of akiñcanya.
The Dharma has been well taught by the Jinas for the benefit of the world of beings. Those who are devoted to its practice they can easily cross over the ocean of existence-in-flux. The Dharma is the kinsman of those without kinsmen, the companion of those without companions, the protector of those without protection; it is indeed the only affectionate one of the whole world." The Dharma protects the beings from falling into the hells and the nether worlds; Dharma bestows (upon the beings) that glory of the Omniscient which is incomparable."
The Dharma is the means of attaining all the good things and all kinds of happiness. One becomes adorable through Dharma. Dharma is the source of good in human life as well as in heavens; it even results in the bliss of liberation. In short, the Dharma taught by the Jinas is the destroyer of all sufferings. Meditation on the powers, attributes, and glories of Dharma is what is called reflection on the Dharma.
91. Tattvärthasutra, IX. 6.
92. Jñānārṇava on Dharmabhāvanā, verse 20.
93. Yogafastra, IV. 93.
94. Karttikeyanuprekṣā, vv. 392-404.
95. Prasamaratiprakaraṇa, verse 161.
96. Yoga astra, IV. 10.
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97. Ibid., verse 102.
98. Bhagavati Aradhana, vv. 1851-1854 (abridged).