Jain Journal 1970 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 69

JANUARY, 1970
truth proclaimed by religion. Now we see how the Jaina meditates progressively from his own level of spiritual evolution toward his goal of the inner state of Self-realization.
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7. What precisely is Jaina Self-realization?
"that from which words fall short and return back without expressing." Logic cannot reach it, intellect cannot grasp it. Remember now the basic Indian view that the body is the place of misery and suffering. And this view is positive, not negative. For when we renounce the body, we renounce nothing but the misery. Selfrealization, then, is positive freedom from negative body. It is freedom from the necessity of being born and the necessity of dying. It is liberation found after the soul frees itself from karma, regains purity, and attains the infinite peace, bliss, and contentment from which there is no return. Indeed words fall short. In a practical way, we are concerned with our own Self-realization. The prescribed method is always to live, move and have your being in the Self, and never to look to the outer world. Never let the basic culprit of ignorance confuse the real with the unreal. Always discern that you are the Pure Soul, you are not the impure body. We know how such insight gradually comes through the rising spiritual steps of the Jainas. But by whatever name you call yourself, your code of pure conduct can lead you to Selfrealization. Then your soul will soar to its final and individual abode at the top of the universe. This blissful finale to finite existence is the goal in Jaina religious life.
8. What is daily routine in the religious life of a Jaina?
excuse.
the meaningful translation of the religious life into the daily life. For the primary thought of a good Jaina is to make the religion the index of the whole human being. His tools are the Five-fold Vow of non-injury, truthfulness, honesty, chastity, and non-attachment, and the Six Essential Daily Duties of worship, service, reading holy books, self-denial, meditation, and charity. These he observes according to his individual capabilities. But he knows that at the end he stands without We do not exaggerate in saying that the good Jaina strives to be good twenty-four hours a day. Example: He does not eat after sundown. Hardly a self-insulting action to him, but it is death to the unseen insect. We remember his basic vow of non-injury. Throughout India, by reason of total commitment to his way of life, the Jaina is well-regarded, be he working householder or wandering ascetic. As regards ascetics, their daily routine includes such variables as complete observence of the Vows and Duties, conquest of death by conquest of the fear of it, pastoral care of the laity, and a mouth-mask symbolizing