Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 14

JULY, 1988
reverence, food etc. The teacher preaches to the laymen and laymen pay respects and services to teachers. They also keep themselves on guard against the conduct of each other. Therefore the relation between these two religious groups has never been lop-sided and fearful. (c) Studying scriptural texts every day (svādhyāya). Scriptural texts contain the sermons which show the people right path. (d) Practising some form of self restraint every day. (e) Doing some form of penance and austerity every day both external and internal, and (f) doing some kind of charitable act.
This is an introduction to spiritual disciplines and practices of an ordinary householder. These observations create communal harmony and maintain peace in society and in the country.
(ii) Naişthika Srävaka :
One who fulfils his religious duties with constant vigilance is an loyal householder (Naişthika Srāvaka). In order to prepare himself for the ascetic life the householder goes further to observe the eleven spiritual stages (pratimās). They are as follows:
(a) Darśana Pratima :
After observing introductory rules, layman enters into first spiritual stage (darśana pratima) in which it is required true and unshakable faith in Jainism with firm conviction in the reality of seven fundamental principles saptatattva of Jainism and devotion to pañcaparameşthinas (arhat, siddha, acārya, upādhyāya and sadhu). After a long practice he becomes samyagdrsti (possessing right vision and right knowledge). As a result there should be eight attributes in him at this stage, viz. (1) freedom from care of body, (2) freedom from doubt in the teachings of the Jina with right knowledge, (3) freedom from desire for worldly enjoyment, (4) following of right path, (5) reinstatement of right belief, (6) attaining to right conviction, (7) love and affection for good people, and (8) respect for religious teachings. He should also not be proud of caste, family, power, personality, penance, accomplishments, learning and worship. A true follower of Jainism will ponder daily over twelve points of meditation to realize self or deep-reflection (dvādaśāņupreksā) as follows : transitoriness, helplessness, transmigration, loneliness, distinctness, impurity of body, influx of karmic matter, stoppage of influx of karmic matter, dissociation of karmas, the structure of the universe, rarity of enlightenment and the truth proclaimed by religion. These reflections help the spiritual aspirants to practise moral virtues