ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 190

(Mūdhatās) and develops Amūdhadrsti 2 characteristic in his personality. It is only through such individuals that society progresses and a scientific outlook gains ground. Such individuals are forward looking, and are free from the pressures of narrow traditionalism. They are always open-minded and are ever eager to learn from history and experience.
iv. The spiritually awakened individual develops virtuous dispositions of honesty, gratitude,
forgiveness, modesty etc. This is known as Upagūhana characteristic. It may be noted here that though mere thought is important to bring about any individual transformation, it is only virtues in addition to thought that can effect transformation in the life of an individual and transmute existing state of affairs. It cannot be gainsaid that noble thoughts can be translated into action through the medium of virtuous dispositions.
Social characteristics Besides, there are certain social characteristics that emanate from the spiritually awakened individual. It is true that there is nothing over and above the good of the individual men, women and children who compose the world. The proper adjustment of "l' and "thou' leads to the healthiest development of both " and "thou'. All individuals should live together in such a way that each individual may be able to acquire as much good as possible. Thus every individual, therefore, shall have certain responsibilities towards one another. This is the same as saying that an individual has certain social responsibilities.
i.
The spiritually awakened individual does not hate a meritorious being owing to certain diseased bodily conditions and the like. This is known as the Nirvicikitsa characteristic. We may extend it by saying that to create differences between one individual and the other on the factors of religion, race, nationality etc. is derogatory, therefore, should be condemned ruthlessly. These are irrelevant inequalities.
The negative conditions of not hating others are not sufficient, but the positive condition of loving them (Vātsalya) is very much necessary. To love is to see that every individual without any distinction, of race, religion, sex and nationality, receives equal opportunities of education, earning and the like. Where there is love there is no exploitation. To treat
ii.
2 Ratnakaranda-śrāvakācāra of Samantabhadra, 14
Purusārthasidhyupaya of Amrtacandra, 26, (Rajachandra Ashrama, Agas) * Ratnakaranda-sravakācāra of Samantabhadra 13
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