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"What is the ultimate end of soul?" And Mahavira replied, "The ultimate end of soul is also to attain tranquility/peace."
In Jainism, religion is nothing but a practice for the realisation of one's own essential nature or sva svabhava which is nothing but the state of tranquility or peace of mind. This enjoying of one's own essential nature means to remain constant in sākṣibhāva, i.e., to remain undisturbed by external factors. It is the state of pure subjectivity which is technically known in Jainism as sāmāyika. In this state the mind is completely free from constant flickerings, excitements and emotional disorders. To get freedom from mental tensions, which are the vibhāvas or impure states of mind is the precondition for enjoying spiritual happiness which is also a positive aspect of inner peace. Nobody wants to live in a state of mental tensions, every one would like no tension but relaxation, not anxiety but contentment, This shows that our real nature is working in us for tranquility or mental peace. Religion is nothing but a way of achieving this inner peace. According to Jainism the duty of a religious order is to explain the means by which man can achieve this peace inner as well as external. In Jainism this method of achieving mental and environmental peace is called as sāmāyika, which is the first and foremost duty among six essential duties of monk and householder. Now the question is how this peace can be attained. According to Jaina view-point it is through the practice of non-attachment or non-hoarding (aparigraha or asaṁgraha), non-violence (ahimsā) and non absolutism (anekanta or anagraha), we can establish peace and harmony in the world.
Attachment the Cause of Mental Tensions
JAIN JOURNAL
As I have already mentioned that most burning problem of our age is the problem of mental tensions. The nations, who claims more civilized and economically more advanced are much more in the grip of mental tensions. The main object of Jainism is to emancipate man from his sufferings and mental tensions. First of all, we must know the cause of these mental tensions. For Jainism the basic human sufferings are not physical, but mental. These mental sufferings or tensions are due to our attachment towards worldly objects. It is the attachment, which is fully responsible for them. The famous Jaina
6 Bhagavati-sutra, 1/9
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