Humanism of Haribhadra

Author(s): Christian Lindtner
Publisher: Z_Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_1_002105.pdf and Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_2

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The Humanism of Haribhadra
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To clean a part of one's body with water for a moment, mostly without disturbing others, is called physical ablution.
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If a person engaged in something unclean has done so, and then, according to rule, pays homage to sacred images and guests, then this [kind of ablution] will also purify him [spiritually].
[It purifies him] because it actually is experienced to do so since it is a cause of spiritual purification. This is because it brings about new good qualities even if some [of the old] blemishes are still present.
In science the set of rules for bringing about virtue (dharma) depends on a person possessing authority. It must be understood [that this set of rules] has to do with virtue and vice. It can be compared to a remedy against a disease.
Spiritual ablution is said always to purify the soul with the help of the water of contemplation (dhyāna). The impurity it refers to is karma.
The foremost among sages have stated that this ultimate kind of ablution for sages increases their vows and good behaviour when they have abstained from vices [such as] violence.
Having performed ablution properly in this way, one gets rid of all impurities. One will not become defiled again. Thereby one has performed ablutions in the real sense of the term !
III. Eight Verses on Worship
The [worship] of "eight flowers" is said to produce heaven and liberation. There are, according to those who see the truth of the matter, two kinds: An impure and the opposite [i.e. a pure form of worship].
[When one worships Mahādeva] with flowers, small or abundant, of various sorts, of pure origin, just as it happens to be, fresh, in pure pots...
[And then] offers them to the God of gods, who is free from the eight kinds of decay, and who has the wealth of virtues arising from that, [then] this [sort of worship] is called impure.
By nature this kind [of worship] is mixed, because spiritual [purification] is a result of physical (purification, as suggested above].