Jain Journal 1980 04

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

Page 15

APRIL, 1980
possessions and comforts once and for all more difficult than bearing the pain of worldly ties ?" We know these departures must occur and yet we are afraid and incapable, either because of circumstances or weakness, to break away and take the path to complete solitude and isolation. We are caught in the middle.
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Approaching the dilemma from this point of view, we have discovered a basic tenet of Jaina philosophy, namely that life in the world is essentially painful, and the purpose of living is to free ourselves of this pain and reach enlightenment. Building upon this idea, the teaching develops a very complete code of ethics to guide aspirants on their journey to liberation. Various stages are described; as an embodied soul progresses, he or she becomes more and more independent of worldly bindings and ties. He moves from the commitment to family to the commitment of a monk, and then devotes himself to the perfection of consciousness through the perfection of the renunciate's vows. So the path leads to the life of the muni, away from the common pattern of family relations. Then why do we not adopt this path now? If we know that this is the ultimate prescription of the sages and we want to reach that goal, what stands in the way of our immediate acceptance to this choice, these vows?
The answer lies in this question of communication, the need for wholeness. As we seek to fulfill ourselves through relationships, our attachment for others arises and grows. It is this attachment which is the root cause of our pain (dukha). When we free from it, we are free from the pain of life.
The way in which this need blocks our progress is paradoxical, however. People and relationships distract us from ourselves, from finding wholeness and peace within. But if we go off alone before we are ready, we burn in the pain of attachment just the same; we feel none of the calmness and joy that is the reward of saintly renunciation. So we cannot simply say either, "Renounce and be free" or "Find wholeness in living harmoniously with others in the world".
One can answer, as Buddha did, that all pain results from attachment and desire, and so if we are mentally attached, we can expect pain, regardless of what lifestyle we adopt. This is a fact, an ultimate truth; but until we experience it, it has little meaning. This pain is such a part of life as we know it and see it around us, this decision so challenging and profound, that it demands some further consideration. No quick easy answer will satisfy us. As the poet-philosopher Pascal wrote,