Jain Funeral Procedures

Author(s): Tansukh J Salgia
Publisher: Tansukh J Salgia

Page 32

(Reflection V) On the reality of "The Cycle of Re-births', Acharya Kunda Kunda says: "Entangled in cycles of wanderings due to lack of belief in the path shown by (the) Jina. Entanglement in endless wanderings in the cycles of existence replete with birth, senility, death, disease and fear is the lot of the Soul that fails to see the path shown by the Jina. The Soul in its defiled condition has to suffer the ceaseless agonies of taking birth, decay, disease, fear and death since it is bound down by karmas. The Soul is intrinsically indestructible but when devoid of perception of its real nature it revolves in the ocean of transmigration very much like a rudderless ship. The surest way to overcome the travails of endless wanderings in the mundane life-cycle is to follow the path of liberation shown by the omniscient Jina. Every mundane Soul roams about in the cycles of matter wanderings infinitely and endlessly until it finds the way to cross the ocean of recurring re-births. The Acharya thus stresses the utter futility of chasing the chimera (or fantasy) of happiness in worldly existence. The wise therefore set the mind on treading the path of liberation which takes the Self to the abode of eternal bliss. (pp. 30-32]
2From Barasa Anuvekkha: Twelve Contemplations. Acharya Kund Kund. Edited by M. K. Dharma Raja. Kund Kund Bharati. New Delhi. 1990.
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