Jain Journal 1972 04

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

Page 13

APRIL, 1972
149
enlightened state over into the next incarnation. The soul then comes into those conditions of life which enable it, in the course of time, to evolve out a knowledge of the truth, and the good work is carried on.
We undoubtedly reap the reward of our good actions, and the effect of meritorious living is never lost by the soul at death. On the contrary, being rid of many undesirable influences, it passes into delightful circumstances suitable to its better nature. The soul whose actions of a life-time have produced evil karmic forces, passes at death into conditions of darkness and misery.
The law of karma works for both good and evil; "as ye sow, so shall ye reap". The soul will go on living after this present life, whether one believes so or not, and because of its impure state due to the forces of karma, re-incarnation will continue.
All those fortunate souls who die possessed of true knowledge, and who have overcome their desiring nature to a great extent, will continue in a future life to make progress on thep ath of salvation, and will finally attain self-realization.
The Path :
The true path of liberation is a scientific way of life, graded and divided into various stages of advancement.
The novice has first to acquire right faith, without which it is impossible to enter on the path at all. This means all false convictions and beliefs have to be rooted out from the soul, including the belief in a supposed creating God.
Right faith being established, there are then five minor rules of conduct to be observed, namely, non-injuring, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual purity, and restraint on uncontrolled Epicureanism and indulgence. The strict observance of these five guiding principles, together with right belief, is calculated to change the rhythm of the soul from the material to the spiritual.
Eating the right kinds of food, proper exercise and the avoidance of all kinds of intoxicants and flesh foods, are also vitally necessary for the development of our inner forces,
VY