Jain Journal 2000 07

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

Page 30

SAMYAG-DARŚANA*
The Gateway to Peace and Happiness
JAGDISH PRASAD JAIN SĀDHAK
Peace and happiness can be achieved only through subsidence of passions, self-restraint, contentment and fellow-feeling, which are the attributes of a Samyagdṛṣṭi, who is determined, dedicated and devoted to follow the path of righteousness, non-injury, limitation of one's desires and possessions and other virtues. Our efforts should first of all be directed towards converting the Jains (who are called Jains because of birth in a Jain family) to Jainism and make them true Jains. A samyagdṛṣṭi is a true Jain in the real sense of the word. As stated in the sacred books of Jains, Damsana Mulo Dhamma, i.e. samyagdarśana (right perception) is the root or foundation of piety or
Dharma.
The Prerequisites of Samyagdarśana
The four prerequisites of samyagdarśana-prasama, samvega (with its obverse aspect-nirveda), anukampa (compassion) and astikyaform the world-view of both a Jain house-holder as also of an ascetic. The quality of prasama endows a man with a certain degree of equanimity, calmness, balance which enables him to feel happy, contented and "at peace with himself". In Prasama-rati-prakaraṇa, authored by Acarya Umaswami or Umāsvāti, who also wrote Tattvārthasūtra, the so-called Bible of the Jainas, it is stated:
Svarga-sukhāni parokṣānyatyant parokṣameva mokṣasukham, pratyakṣam prasamasukham na parvaśam na ca vyaya prāptam. (237)
The happiness of heaven is indirect, it is beyond our experience. Thus we may be disinterested in it. The happiness of salvation is still more indirect. On the other hand, the peace and calm brought about by the subsidence or quelling down the excitement of passions (anger, pride, deceit and greed) and the happiness resulting therefrom can be directly experienced right here. This happiness is not dependent on other objects, things or beings. It is not perishable either. The socalled pleasures of worldly life, viz. sensual pleasures are always
*
Revised version of the lecture 10th Biennial JAINA Convention, Philadelphia, USA, 4 July 1999.