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lustful activities all the time mentally or otherwise. Besides he loses his own mental and physical vitalities to focus on his own spiritual and worldly progress and feels weak or disinterested in. Even though all religions of India propagate practice of celibacy to preserve one's vital energies and channelize them to achieve their worldly and transcendental objectives; Jainism emphasizes it most, first through the abstinences from vices then the minor vows followed by the 7th stage of householder's self purification path.
Conclusion Thus salient features of Jain philosophy can be summarised as follows:
All BEINGS are real. Real is indicated as substance (dravya) which is eternal as well as is continuously changing. Substances are classified as living beings (jiva) and non-living beings (ajiva). There are infinite jivas / souls. Living beings help each other.
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Jivas, called empirical souls, are an amalgam of pure soul and matter particles called karmas. They exist from beginning-less time. Nature of pure soul is just consciousness and bliss with infinite energy to enjoy it. All jivas are equal as per their inherent nature. No jiva wants pain. Every jiva can attain the state of pure soul by its own effort and is responsible for all its actions and the results thereof. Empirical soul goes through the cycle of birth-death until it attains pure soul state. Right belief-knowledge-conduct together is the path of attaining complete self realization / moksa. Non-violence (Ahimsa) is the heart of Jain ethics to solve all worldly as well as spiritual purification problems. Live and let live and living beings help each other are directives for enhancing social wellness. Attachment and possessions (Parigraha) be they psychic or material are the root cause of all pains in this, past and future lives.
Pg.260 Gandhi & Jainism
