ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

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

Page 314

texts of various Indian philosophies. But now the situation has changed. Yoga, its practice and such techniques had been taught to common persons for whom the credit goes to our sādhus, ācāryas and teachers. As a result a number of people tried to understand Yoga and then started practicing it to maintain good health, concentrate their mind on useful and productive activities and move forward on the spiritual path of purification. Hence it is important to know correct and specific spiritual purification activities.
Till now, even I was ignorant about Sallekhan, and Sarthārā. Now after some efforts, I have found detailed and crisp description of these two doctrines and techniques in Jain literature. Keeping these in mind, I am making a humble attempt of writing this paper to arouse interest of others also on the subject.
Jain philosophy has detailed discussion on the doctrine and practice of Sallekhanā. True and eternal nature of the self is knowledge and perception (jñātā-drastā). By accepting body and self as same, one cannot understand the true nature of self. But he is an intelligent one who understands body, sensual organs as distinct from the self /soul. By suppressing the desires, the soul gets purified easily. Virtues (dharma) can exist in a pure soul only and it helps in making the self purer. Soul, which is free from the karmic bondage, is called paramātmā. Once the soul achieves this pure state, it stays happy in all lives to come.
Jain religion is one of the ancient religions that prescribe the human values. This religion not only talks about human welfare but also extends it to the animal world. Jain religion asserts that consciousness is present not only in humans, but in all animal world, for example elephant and even ant. This has been emphatically stated on the basis of experience by the first Tirthamkara Rşabhadeva and reemphasized by the 24th Tirthamkara Mahāvīra. All this knowledge was traditionally handed to the Śrutakevalis and finally to the acāryas who codified it. This tradition is still maintained by the acāryas, monks, spiritual leaders, intelligible beings etc.
None of the Tirthamkaras were born in the Jain tradition. There were from the Ksatriya / Yadava class. They traversed the path themselves and showed the path of winning oneself. The one who wins his own self is the Jina and who is worshipper and follower of Jina is Jain.
Samādhimarana (Santhārā / Sallekhanā) is the path that changes the life of the individual and is mentioned in the Jain philosophical scriptures and other literature. The issue of death
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