Fundamentals Of Jainism

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Veer Nirvan Bharti

Page 71

NIRJARA :
idleness; pure and simple, or leads to stultification of character, as some unthinking writers have urged. The process of selfcontemplation has nothing in common with these two characteristics of ordinary humanity, and implies the realisation of sleepless bliss, infinite perfection, true immortality and perfect freedom from all kinds of ties and bonds. There is no use denying the fact that what we call character means neither more nor less than a resolute frame of mind, though all sorts of evil passions and emotions are also, at times, allowed to be smuggled in under that name. Self-contemplation does not, in any sense, imply the eradication of will, rather, on the contrary, it leads to its development in the highest possible degree, so that if the word character be employed in its true sense, it is only in respect of the siddhâtman that it can express its full purport. Nor has the nonperformance of virtuous deeds the effect of exposing the siddhûtman to blame for not doing good; for the kind of good which flows from the Perfect Ones cannot be equalled by men even in imagination. Men generally do good by gifts of money, medicine, clothes and the like, which, even when we lose sight of the fact that these things are not always acquired or amassed with a strict regard to the rules of virtue or good conduct, can only go to afford temporary relief to the suffering, or, at best, enable them to stand upon their legs to enter into the struggle for life,-to thrive at the expense of thcir fellow beings. The good that constantly flows from the bcing of the Perfect Ones is not to be compared to this kind of human philanthropy; it is the greatest good which one living being can do to another, and consists in the imparting of the knowledge which would enable each and every soul who cares to benefit thereby, to attain freedom from all kinds of bonds, and the perfection and joy of Gods. And not only is the knowledge imparted by the Holy Ones the true source of freedom and joy, the example set by Them is even more useful to those who aspire to escape from pain and misery consequent on the four conditions of life, deva, manushya, tiryancha, and näraka. Their holy feet have illumined the Path to the highest height of glory, and we have Their noble example before us to inspire and encourage us in the pursuit of the Ideal. Let no one in his senses call this idleness or stultification of character.