Jain Journal 1977 07

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

Page 20

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JAIN JOURNAL
-Full Vows for ascetics, Partial for the laity, Laboring each from a separate capacity Wherein each strove to be an ideal expression Of the Jaina ethical conviction. Here He defined the viewpoints, pure and practical, Both equally true at the same interval, In case: practical right conduct, due observance of Vows, Pure right conduct, self-absorption that penance allows.
Lest be lost a foremost aim, The Lord advised them begging His name, “Vows and effort, rules and penance Share the single goal to safeguard non-violence, For the essence of all wisdom Is non-violence allowing all living beings freedom.”
At all times, the Lord Nemi laid emphasis On food-animals in their abyss Of blood sacrifice to the human greed That made human bloodshed its second step deed --Retribution for the needless cruelty To the food-animal community. He said, “Alas, food-animals in a slaughter pen, Helpless victims to heartless men. Right and wrong depend on no circumstance, Once right or wrong is always the same in revelance. Thus corpse food for any reason Lays on the soul the blood of treason For the food-animals are our younger kindred, Souls like unto ours, as sacred, For in the Jaina reality All living beings are kin in spirituality.”
O, snow tiger wind and clay oven drought, Far the Lord moved, even twice to the South, As on all living bodies He laid His respect Even as He strove their souls to protect By His living union With the pure creed of Jaina compassion.
Meantime, what of the Lord's companion of bygone years? O, behold the lotus in a pool of sweet tears ...