________________
10
...
A Hand Book of Jainology
The man whose infatuation for enjoyments and wealth is less feels attracted by others spiritual austerities and magnanimity etc. Only he praises Dharma thus. "Oh ! How beautiful Dharma is !” After we realize this kind of sowing of the seed of Dharma, a strong desire arises in our minds to pursue Dharma. The awakening of this desire must be deemed the sprouting. Afterwards, the sequence of hearing and understanding is called the root. There should be faith; endeavours should be carried out; and thus we should attain spiritual development; and finally we should attain spiritual perfection. Metaphorically speaking, Dharma develops branches, leaves, flowers and ripe fruits. These stages are to be passed through. After we attain spiritual perfection we become Vitrags; then we attain Keveljnan; and finally we will surely attain Moksha.
For the attainment of any Dharma or virtues like nonviolence, forgiveness and truthfulness, first the seeds of the respective Dharma must be sown. In other words, before we attain those virtues, we should enjoy praising them; and we should be fascinated by them. This is called the sowing of the seed of Dharma. Later, the seed of Dharma sprouts in the form of a taste for Dharma, a desire for Dharma and thus the tree of Dharma grows and puts forth finally the fruits of Dharma.
This aspect called the adoration of Dharma is possible even in the Dharma of those who are not omniscient; but there we discern the absence of the true faith in Dharma. If a jiva was freed from the clutches of false vision in any life; if he has had the opportunity of listening to discourses on the Dharma expounded by the Omniscient Vitrag, on hearing it he has an inkling of astonishment thus : "Oh! What an infallible Dharma ! How rational it is! How authentic and how bene.. ficent! This is the right Dharma. This is the true way to Moksha. The doctrines of this Dharma are true !" If this kind of faith appears; from this original seed of adoration, the Dharma sprouts. It develops a trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and then finally, there appears the fruit of Samyagdarshan or the right faith.
Now, this faith in the noble Dharma and in noble Tatvas
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
