Jain Center Minnesota MN 2007 07 Pratishtha

Author(s): Jain Center Minnesota USA
Publisher: USA Jain Center Minnesota

Page 40

Equanimity (Saamaayik)
by Dr. Chandrakant P. Shah, Schaumburg Illinois
Kamathe Dharanendre Va VA Svomitam Karma Kurvatih Prabhustushya Manovritthih Parshvanathah Shriyestu Vah |
Obeisance to Bhagwaan Parshvanath, who attained equanimity, realizing that everyone performs good or bad deeds depending on one's own mental and physical faculties, steered by one's karma. He had evenness of mind toward Kamath, who did his utmost to disturb him in his meditation, and toward Dharanedra, who endeavored to protect him from Kamath's misdeeds.
The Jain scriptures place great importance on equanimity. Equanimity is the English equivalent of the Sanskrit word SAAMMAAYIK, which is derived from SAMAYA. In this context, 'SAMAYA' means establishing harmony between rationalism (SAMYAKTVA) [rational perception (DARSHAN), knowledge (JNAAN) and conduct (CHAARITRA)], self-discipline (SANYAM) and penance (TAPAH). In other words, maintaining a dispassionate disposition toward the transformations of self is equanimity. One has to minimize attachment and aversion, and maintain a balance of thoughts and feelings to attain equanimity. When things are going well, there is no elation, and when things are not going well, there is no anxiety, dejection or depression. There is acceptance of things as they are, not as one desires. Equanimity is not the same as indifference. In indifference there is an 'I do not care attitude' - the person does not want to understand or to get upset. In equanimity, on the other hand, there is an evenness of mind; no attachment toward friends and no aversion toward adversaries. This is the way to attain peace of mind.
Root Cause of Solicitude
According to Jainism, ignorance about reality is the root cause of solicitude. So we have to understand and accept the nature of reality to attain evenness of mind. Indeed, the perception deluding and conduct-deluding karmas prevent us from accepting reality. They make us to indulge in attachment and aversion, which, in turn, bring about anxiety and imbalance of mind.
When we do not understand and accept reality, we identify ourselves with our bodies. Our attention is focused on the external appearance of objects. We judge people on the basis of physical characteristics. We become preoccupied with trivial things, and our tolerance becomes limited. Small imperfections whether real or imagined make us lose our peace of mind. For example, getting old is natural. It is a fact of life. But one who does not accept this fact, becomes preoccupied with his/her looks and seeks treatments such as cosmetic surgery. Similarly, disease and illness are parts of our worldly existence. Accepting this fact with calmness and seeking a proper treatment is appropriate. But if we become anxious and upset, our illness will be aggravated. We will lose our peace of mind and obtain painful karma.
Identifying our souls with our bodies augments our desires for sensual gratification. We indulge in limitless material pursuits. When our desires for personal satisfaction are hindered, all kinds of negative responses such as irritation, hostility, resentment, censure, anger, worry, fear and revenge arise. The great Indian saint, Ramanuja has stated, "What we seek as our highest goal depends upon what we believe ourselves to be." When we identify ourselves with the body, we spend our lives seeking physical gratification. When we identify ourselves with the soul, we seek spiritual uplift, considering that our
38