Jain Journal 1974 04

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

Page 37

APRIL, 1974
175
exertions to emancipation and complete knowledge, and has preached the truth to suffering humanity.
Right knowledge is the knowledge of the system promulgated by the Jina. "The world of Brahman cosmology is uncreated and eternal. Its component parts are six substances, Souls, Dharma (or moral merit), Adharma (or sin), space, time, and atoms of matter. By the combination of these atoms are produced the four elements, and human bodies, as well as the phenomena of the world of sense, and the heavenly worlds.' The Jaina are as extravagant with regard to time as with regard to space. They consider that human bodies and human lives increase during the Utsarpiņi, and diminish during the Avasarpiņā—periods of incredible length. The doctrine of bondage of souls as held by the Jaina, is practically identical with the views held by Indian thinkers generally. But they stand alone in maintaining that souls are to be found in apparently lifeless masses, in stone, in clods of earth, in drops of water, in fire, and in wind'.
Right conduct divides itself into two branches, according as it is incumbent upon the Jaina monk or layman. The Jaina monk, as we have seen above, on entering the order takes five vows; not only is he to abstain from these sins himself in thought, word, and deed, but he is not to cause others to be guilty of them. These rules are carried out to the letter. The rules binding on laymen are less strict. They are expected to abstain from gross violation of the five precepts. They must be faithful to the marriage vow, and promise not to increase their wealth by unfair means. It is all the more remarkable, therefore, that Jaina laymen are noted for their wealth. They are of course forbidden to indulge in flesh and spirituous drinks, and any other kinds of food (e.g., honey) which involve injury to animal life. Agriculture too is forbidden, as an injury to the earth-body'. Even the ordering another man to plough a field is stigmatized as a sin.
The result of all this teaching has been to make Jaina laymen serious, well-conducted, and humane men, ready to endure great sacrifices for their religion, and especially for the welfare of animals. Advantage has been taken of this, under British rule, to enlist their sympathies with veterinary science.40
Jaina Ritual and Pantheon
Buehler thinks that the original atheistic system of the Jaina was fitted out with an elaborate cult, as a concession to the lay mind. It is
40 Tawney, Kathakosa, pp. xii-xy (Oriental Translation Fund, New Series, ii. 1895.)