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THEMES OF SOTERIOLOGICAL REFLECTION
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The doctrine proclaimed by the Jinas is characterized by inoffensiveness (ahimsā), it is established on truth; it is rooted in humility (vinaya), its strength lies in forbearance (kşamā); it is protected by chastity (brahmacarya); its chief feature is quiescence (upaśama); its mark is restraint, and its prop is non-possession and non-attachment (nisparigrahatā). It is because of their not attaining Dharma that the beings have been suffering and coursing in samsāra through the rise of karmas. 99
The practice of virtuous conduct is indeed difficult. It is difficult specially for the householders. It has been said in the scriptures that for the householders, immersed in their homes and worldly concerns, the cultivation of Dharma is rare indeed. 100 Dharma includes both philosophy and religion, theory and practice of good life, ascetic culture and ethical behaviour. Merit (punya) is not the highest aim of Dharma; liberation of the soul from samsāra is the ultimate aim of religious culture. Dharma is that which takes one to the cherished goal of liberation (işte sthāne dhatte iti dharmah).101 The Good Dharma destroys karmas, rescues beings from the miseries of samsāra, and upholds them in excellent bliss.102
The notion of ten-fold Dharma found in the Manusmrti has somewhat different contents and they are described in a strictly Brahmanical framework. “By twice-born men belonging to any of)these four orders, the tenfold law must be ever carefully obeyed. Contentment, forgiveness, self-control, abstention from unrighteously appropriating anything, (obedience to the rules of) purification, coercion of the organs, wisdom, knowledge (of the supreme soul), truthfulness, and abstention from anger (form) the tenfold law. Those brāmaņas who thoroughly study the tenfold law, and after studying obey it, enter the highest state.”:103
The greatness and glory of Dharma are taught almost on every page of Buddhist canonical texts. An ancient and well known formula glorifying the Dharma, which every good Buddhist recites daily, reads thus :
svāk khāto Bhagavatā dhammo sandithiko akāliko ehipassiko opaneyyiko paccatiam veditabbo vññühi.104
This means : "The Dharma has been well expounded by the Blessed One, visible here and now, not conditioned by time, inviting investigation, leading onward (to Nirvāņa), and to be directly comprehended by the wise, each for himself."
99. Sarvärthasiddhi on IX. 7, p. 319. 100. Daśavaikalikasūtra (Lalwani's edition), p. 210. 101. Sarvarthasiddhi on IX. 2, p. 312. 102. Ratnakaranda Sravakācāra, verse 2. 103. Manusmrti, VI 91-93. Translation by George Bühler. 104. Majjhimanikāya, vol. I (Nalanda edition), p. 50.
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