Historical Facts About Jainism

Author(s): Lala Lajpatrai
Publisher: Jain Associations of India Mumbai

Page 26

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JAIN COURSE OF CONDUCT. As to the course of conduct--you proceed to say that "it is impossible for man to act completely in accordance with it (course of conduct) and consequently the influence of Jainism on hunian temperament is such that man thereby becomes too weak for ordinary struggles of life. On the one hand, the Jain Sadhus are renunciated. from the world to a very high degree, but on the other hand though the Jain layman protect the lower creatures, their conduct with men is very cruel”. 16 Proceeding to give some sort of explanation of this really unbelieveable phenomena, you say "The same is possibly the result of unduly emphasizing on an impossible course of conduct."" Here you have shown complete ignorance of the course of conduct laid down for being practised by the Jain layman. This course is quite distinct and perfectly practicable for householders. l'urther you appear to be quite unaware of the two grades of the Jain householders, viz. Vrati and Avrati.? The only obligation on the Jains of tbe latter class is to have faith in God, Preceptor, and Religion, as described in the Jain scriptures. Such Jains—and they are the majority at present--are free to follow any vocation in life. The former class has to follow certain vows. of comparatively far less strictness48 than those of Jain Sadhus which make them easily practicable by the laity without in any way causing hindrance to or interfering with their ordinary