Jain Journal 2012 07

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

Page 15

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JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XLVII, NO. 1-IV JULY.-JUNE 12-13
him equanimity, equality, righteousness, state of self absorption, purity, peace, welfare and happiness are the different names of sāmāyika's. In Anuyogadvarasutra, Avasyakaniryukti and Kudakunda's Niyamasāra, sāmāyika is explained in various ways. It is said that one who by giving up the movement of uttering words, realized himself with non-attachment, is said to have supreme equanimity. He, who detached from all injurious or unuspious actions, observes three-fold control of body, mind and speech and restrains his senses, is said to have attained equanimity. One who behaves equally as one's own self towards all living beings mobile and immobile, is said to have equanimity. Further, it is said that one who observes self-control, vows and austerities, one in whom attachment and aversion do not cause any disturbance or tension and one who always refrains from indulgence, sorrow and ennui, is said to have attained equanimity or sāmāyika?
This practice of equanimity is equated with religion itself. In Ācārānga, it is said that all the worthy people preach religion as equanimity. Thus, for Jainas, the observance of religious life is nothing but the practices for the attainment of equanimity. According to them, it is the essence of all types of religious activities and they all, are prescribed only to attain it. Not only in Jainism but in Hinduism also, we find various references in support of equanimity. Gītā defines yoga as equanimity 8. Similary, in Bhagavat it is said that the observance of equanimity is the worship of lord".
The whole frame-work of Jaina sādhanā has been built on the foundation of sāmāyika i.e. the practice for equanimity. All the religious tenets are made for it. Ācārya Haribhadra maintains that one who observes the equanimity of-samabhāva will surely attain the emancipation, whether he is Bauddha or the follower of any other religion20. It is said in Jaina religious text Uttaradhyayanasūtra that one who observes hard penances and austerities such as eating once in a month or two as well as one who makes the donations of crores of golden coins every day, can not attain emancipation or liberation