Introduction to Jainism

Author(s): Rudi Jansma, Sneh Rani Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 88

INTRODUCTION TO JAINISM
A good doctor - if we decide to call for his help – does not try to banish our just reward, but guides a disease in such a way that it can fully express itself without killing the patient. Nature herself offers us countless remedies in the form of herbs, minerals, sun, water, air and light. Muslims told me that according to their belief there is no disease to which there is no cure - one merely has to find the remedy. We are attached to life and to our duties. Certainly it would bring no inflow of good karma if, for the sake of our own spiritual progress, we chose death rather than accept medical help, because if we make this choice consciously, we are completely inattentive to all those who are benefited by our present existence. We would cause them unnecessary suffering.
To quote a theosophical writer:33 "Nature is full of beauty - spiritual splendor is the essence of every manifestation - so may we not use the means she offers to lighten our burden and soften our pain? Should we not allow her to be our teacher and helper? Practical compassion is all around us, but we ourselves are responsible for our mental and emotional attitudes. We ourselves must practice compassion to all to become equal to our teachers. We will attain what we ardently strive for. The innate potentialities of the universe are before us, but only he whose note chimes with that of the over-mastering law – the law of compassion - can hold his victories!”
A wise person will accept his full burden, but perhaps not everything at once. He may choose to spread, and carry as much as he can at the most suitable (though not necessarily the easiest) moments. For a spiritually advanced monk or disciple things may be a little different. I once asked a monk, “If you were suddenly in a position to kill a 'Hitler,' a person who brings great suffering to millions of others, would you do so?” He answered, “No, because I have made a vow not to kill any creature in any circumstance.” He added, “But you could do that, because you are not bound by a vow.” I was shocked.