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THE FOURTEEN-FOLD PATH TO FREEDOM
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The sixth stage is that of the mendicant. The principle of nonviolence is carried out to the fullest possible extent, and includes the tiniest and most primitive life-forms, even the elements: the mendicant must not dig the earth, walk on grass, or extinguish a fire, etc. Thus he develops an attitude of absolute harmlessness towards living beings and the natural environment, and takes only what is given without asking. He has become a perfect friend of all beings and a perfect environmentalist. To continue his quest he will do everything to better the qualities of his character, and reflect mentally on the various aspects of universal philosophy. This is formulated by Jain ethics and philosophy respectively in the form of ten dharmas or observances, and twelve mental reflections or meditations. 82 The ten dharmas are, as summarized in the Tattvārthadhigama Sūtra (IX, 6): perfect forgiveness, humility, honesty, purity, truthfulness, selfrestraint, austerity, renunciation, non-attachment and chastity.
The meditations or mental reflections are of a philosophical nature, and lead to insight in the nature of the universe and its basic laws, and of life, the human condition, and the path of spiritual evolution and liberation from suffering and ignorance. Suggestive subjects to reflect on, as given in the Tattvārthadhigama Sūtra (IX 7:) are, among others: everything is subject to change and therefore transitory; there is no point trying to avoid what is inevitable, because the seeds sown in the past must come to fruition according to their natural character; the soul moves through endless cycles of embodiment and true happiness can only be obtained by release from this cyclicity; I am alone the doer of my actions and the enjoyer or sufferer of the fruits of them; the inflow of karmas, the result of passions etc., is the cause of my mundane existence; the inflow can be stopped; it is possible to purify the soul of its obstructing and deluding karmas, through conscious effort and the practice of ethics; the universe (contrary to contemporary western ideas about a. big bang and possible big crunch) has no absolute beginning or end, was never created and operates according to its own
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