Jain Journal 2012 07

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

Page 47

JAIN JOURNAL: VOL-XLVII, NO. 1-IV JULY.-JUNE 12-13
desire. It means to limit possessions to what is necessary or important. The sadhus, of course, would not have any possessions. What is the importance of this vow? We have all seen that desire for material wealth can fuel greed and jealousy. Mahāvīra said that desire is unending like the sky. In Jainism, this vow extends not just to material objects but also to Relationships. This helps to cultivate the quality of equanimity irrespective or whether circumstances are happy or sorrowful.
For the laypeople, Ācārya Amitagati, a great Jaina monk suggested four important values to be adopted in life of every individual. He described them in the following verse:
"सत्वेषु मैत्री, गुणिषु प्रमोदं, क्लिष्टेषु जीवेषु कृपापरत्वम् । माध्यस्थ भावं विपरीत वृत्तौ, सदा ममात्मा विद्धातु देव ।।"
Meaning friendship towards all beings, respect for knowledgeable people, utmost compassion for the efficted beings and neutriality towards those who are not well disposed towards me. May my soul have these dispositions for ever.
EQUALITY:
Mahāvīra advocated equality for both men and women; Rich and poor. Women were given high respect in Jain religion. Ganadhara Gautama was the head of Jain monks whose number was 14000. Chandanbālā, a great female ascetic was the head of the nuns, whose number was 36000. Harikesh muni, who was a chandāla, by caste became a great monk.
Mahavira said, “समयाए समणो होइ, बंभचेरेण बंभणो। FUTUT u uitats, dui sts argent !!”
It meas a person becomes a monk by equanimity, a Brahmana by his celibacy, a muni by his knowledge and a hermit by his austerities. Thus according to one's deeds one becomes a Brahmana or a Kshatriyas or a Vaisya or a Sudra. This was a revolutionary step taken by him at that time.