First Steps to Jainism Part 1

Author(s): Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur

Page 86

72 First Steps to Jainism
penance which is the third and the last hallmark of Jainism.
43. Penance (Tap)-the third hallmark (Lakshan of Jainism)-As a means of self control penance is recommended by all religious systems-oriental or occidental. As an example in Islam we find the observation of roza during the month of Ramzan when no food, water or any other intake is permitted during daylight hours. In Indian religious system a monk is known as Tapasvi meaning one who practises penance, thus penance being an essential ingredient of the life discipline of very monk. However, in Jainism penance-like nonviolence and self-control-has been taken to the highest pinnacle of glory. All Jain prophets practised penance of the severe type-going without food or water for weeks and months. Lord Mahaveera's fast for six months is described in details in the scriptures.
44. The reasons for glorification of Penance are that, according to Jainism, penance, apart from ensuring self-control and exterminating attachments and desires; ensures not only stoppage (sanwar) but also separation of karmas from the soul (nirjara) thus freeing the soul from the bondage and hastening liberation (moksha). Thus penance is an essential ingredient of Right Conduct as mentioned earlier.
45. Penance can either be for reward or result e.g. fasting for obtaining wealth or progeny or other favours. This is well known that penance can also bestow super-natural power on the practitioners like flying in air etc. These are called glories (labdhies) and have been listed in details in the scriptures. However, such penance is called immature penance (Bal tap) and has been condemned universally. The reason is that penance is practiced for control of desires and not for perpetuating them. An attempt to use penance for fulfillment of mundane desires is, therefore, a waste and counter-productive.
46. Real penance(desireless penance)-is without expecting any reward or result except realization of soul on liberation. Actually destruction of all worldly desires is the purpose of penance. This again brings us to the need for correct mental attitude behind