Jain Journal 2001 04

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

Page 59

JAIN : THE NOTION OF DHARMA IN JAINISM : A COMPARATIVE VIEW
203 religious scriptures of the world. Right knowledge charged with Right attitude, can then be compared to a guide on the path of dharma; and Right conduct aided with Right attitude and knowledge to the strong and unwavering feet of one trotting on the path of dharma till the goal is reached.
Hence it has been said that :
Charity, worship, celibacy, fasting, observance of vows and austerities, even becoming an unclad monk, all this when endowed with right attitude leads to emancipation. Without right attitude it all engulfs one in the long cycle of births and
deaths.59 and that
The value of peace, scriptural knowledge, religious conduct and austerities, devoid of right attitude, is just like dead - heavy - weight. When endowed with right attitude, these same
virtues become valuable like a priceless gem.60 Dharma devoid of true faith culminating in right attitude, and purity of conduct and character, becomes sheer hypocrisy resulting in hell like sufferings for one who pretends to follow such dharma. In this context the Mahābhārata emphatically asserts that :
Vedic yajña, study of the scriptures, charities and austerities; truth, fortitude, forgiveness and greedlessness, this is the eightfold path of dharma. Out of those the first four are followed for religious hypocrisy as well; while the last four
can be found and stay within the noble souls alone. 61 As indicated above, non-violence is the supreme and all pervasive principle of the dharma of right attitude. It is the very foundation, the basis, the mainstay and prop of dharma in practical life. For Jaina dharma protection and non-injury even to the smallest and invisible microscopic forms of life, including those of the earth-water-fire-air and vegetable bodied beings, in as much as one can, is the most sacrosanct. The Acāranga (Ayāro), is the first, the oldest, the most important and authentic sacred text of the Jainas; which mainly concerns itself with the life and conduct of the Jaina monks. The full
60.
59. Dānam püjā silam upavasam bahuviham pi khivaram pi: sammajudam
mokkhasuham sammaviņā dihasamsāram: Rayanasära, V. 10. Sama-bodha-vrtta-tapasām pāşānasyeva gauravam punsah; pūjya mahāmaņeriva tadeva samyaktavasamyuktam: Ātmānušāsana, V.15. ljyādhyayanadānäni tapaḥ satyam-dhrtih-kşhamā, alobha iti märgoyam dharmasyāstavidhaḥ smstah. Tatra pūrvo caturvargaḥ dambhārthamapi sevyate, uttarastu caturvargah mahātmanyeva tisthati: Mahābhā. Anusa Ρα.