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Jain Theism
they are found in Jain ethics only. Pandit Dalsukh Malvania throws light upon the logical consistency in the practice of Acara, attitude to reject conduct that is not acceptable and agreeable to me if others inflict upon me (Atmaupamya drști) and activeness (Apramāda) He, in his support quotes Acărăngsutra, which defines idleness to be violence and conduct without 'right knowledge' (Samyak Jñāna) as meaningless.' According to Jainism rigid rituals and conduct devoid of right knowledge (Samyak Jñāna) resulting from the meaningful practice of the great vows and penance, and the constant efforts to stop the influx of evil Karmas together with cautiousness, celibacy, awakeningness and compassion results from 'Activeness' (Apramada). These fundamental moral doctrines of Jainism are ultimately leading its practitioner towards self-realisation attainment of salvation, Again the meaning, purpose, and dignity of these moral doctrines pose before us nothing but the acceptance of supreme being and also the acceptance of full scope to become supreme being by raising the soul in its purest form, Jain religion and ethics, through which a Jain tries to attain this, becomes theistic, both in theory and in practice.
The concept of morality with reference to Jain religion is also a good clue to disclose its theistic presupposition. Sound morality is not possible without religion. It appears that Jain leaders were very much interested in emphasiing the freediom and responsibility of the individual soul which is very much necessary for ethics, and ethics is an integral part of theism. When the relationship between Karma and God is emphasized beyond a limit then the Sadhakas try to lean more on 'grace' than on individual effort. Hence sometimes, it is very necessary in the interest of ethics to suspend or bracket this aspect of God's nature so that the Sadhakas work with individual effort and accept personal responsibilities. It can be compared with a metaphysical silence of 'Buddha'. Jainism, as we have seen, is a religion having an ethical system. What could be the point of view of religion and morality? Ultimately one has to think of partiality and point of view. While thinking about the Jainism as religion and system of ethics we are led to think from its concept of the holy pentad viz. the Arhats, the Siddhads, the Acaryas, the Upadhyās and the Sadhus. The concept of the holy pentad "has functioned as the foundation of faith and centre of devotion in Jain community... The nature of this 'faith' which
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'आत्मनः प्रतिकूलानि परेषां न समाचरेत् ।
(4
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