Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 83

76: An Introduction to Jaina Sadhanā
Prof. E. B. Taylor writes, "Religion is the belief in spiritual beings" (Quoted in Dharma-darsana, p. 28). Prof. Hoffding mentions, "Religion is faith in the conservation of values" ( Dharmadarśana, p. 29). According to Jaina thinkers also the inner core of religion is faith, but it is the faith in our own existence and our own real nature, religion is a firm belief in some eternal and spiritual values which are more essential for the upliftment and existence of mankind. In the famous Jaina text Kārtikeyānuprekşā (478), dharma (religion) is defined as the real nature of the things. If it is so, then question arises what is the real nature of human being ? Lord Mahāvira has given two definitions of religion in Acārānga-sūtra ( 1/1/8/3). He says, "Worthy people preach that the religion is mental equanimity." Equanimity is considered as a core or essence of religion, because it is the real nature or essence of all the living beings including human beings also. In a Jaina text known as Bhagavatisūtra (1/9), there is a conversation between Lord Mahāvira and Gautama. Gautama asked Mahāvira, "What is the nature of soul?" and Mahāvira answered, "The nature of soul is equanimity." Gautama again asked, "What is the ultimate end of soul?" and Mahāvira replied, "The ultimate end of soul is also equanimity." Acārya Kundakunda also equated the word 'samaya', or 'samatā' with svabhāva or essential nature of soul, further he also explained "Sva-samaya or sva-svabhāva is the ultimate goal of our life" (Samayasāra).
In Jainism, religion is nothing but a practice for the realisation of our own essential nature of sva-svabhāva. This enjoying of one's own essential nature means to remain constant in sākşibhāva or drastābhāva. It is the state of pure knowership or subjectivity. In this state the consciousness is completely free from constant flickerings, excitements and emotional disorders and mind becomes pacific. It is the pre-condi