Jain Journal 1991 01

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

Page 19

JANUARY, 1991
117
is devoid of material conditioning, 22 and unattachment.23 It is not a ‘run-away' Spirituality but an attempt to balance between the extremes and nature in oneself a neutral attitude 24 of Active Indifference
ii) Transcendence and Awareness of Integral Salvation :
Though man is the combination of materiality and immateriality, he is meant for transcendence. The power of transcendence is intrinsic in him. Hence awareness is the first step to the diagnosis. Jaina dharma acknowledges that perversion is one of the root causes of bondage and evil.25 Today more than ever, the root cause for economic inequality, political dependance and slavery, blind faith and fundamentalism and all kinds of oppressive measures is traced to lack of critical consciousness and a blind refusal to discern and to judge the reality in truth.
iii) 'Self-emptying' as the Proclamation of Faith :
The constituent elements of righteousness or right belief 26 symbolize a healthy and wholesome man. He does not attach too much importance to objects of great temptations, 27 namely, money, power, status etc. He reaches out with the flag of compassion, concealing the defects of others;28 his love and devotiona' is all. embracing. Thus the enlightened person delights in what he has found through analysis, doubtless and firm in his findings or in other words, committed to his faith.31 Quite naturally, he cannot but be a witness to Life and Truth which is a spontaneous proclamation 32 of abiding value.
22 Samayasara, 38 23 Ibid., 150, 3 24 Ibid., 195-197 25 Ibid., 161-163 26 Ibid., 228-236 27 Ibid., 370, 373-382 28 Ibid., 233 29 Ibid., 235 30 Ibid., 229 31 Ibid., 234 32 Ibid., 236