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Theistic Color of Popular Beliefs and Sadhana
137 Fasting or a control on food in whole or part as a religious duty is found almost, in all the religions. But then, fasting has its own importance in Jainism. In Jainism fast (Upavāsa) means a vow to abstain from food and drink, It is a form of austerity (Tapa) and its chief aim is self-purification and spiritual meditation.
During the year, almost every month there is one or more Sain holidays, fast days, or festivals. These festivals may be broadly divided into five classes : periodical, Tirthankara Kalyānaka, historical, local and special."'? These religious festivals play a great role in “breaking the monotony of the humdrum daily routine of life, and give it an added zest." The strictness of the religion, the uncompromising naturė of the metaphysics and the sole emphasis on self effort to gain salvation, and such disciplines, is to be carried out in its pure form, might become, psychologically also, untolerable for the majority of the lay worshippers. The other side of this situation, is taken care of festive occasions which bring life to religious activities and sociocultural meaning to these all. The decoration of the places, people in new dresses, dancing and singing, processions and communal gathering, and all such rejoicing though having no place in laws and doctrines, become remarkable features to transform a pure system of laws and theory into a religion and culture. Apart from the worship, rituals, fast and festivals, the Jains have socio-religious ceremonies, the Yoga and Dhyāna, confession (Pratikramana) and renunciation (Pratyakhyāna), the attainment of equanimity (Sāmāyika), pilgrimage to holy places and the holy death (Sallekhanā) which transform the Jainism into a living religion and culture. 6.3 The Jain Sadhana
According to Jain scriptures, friendliness (Maitri), activity (Pramoda), compassion, (Karuņā) and neutrality (Madhyastha) are four qualities (Bhāvanā) basically required in the foundation of religion."18 Sri Haribhadrasûri, gives a great importance to equanimity or right faith (Samyakkaraṇa). According to him the five inevitable attributes of the soul can alone make the soul attain right vision (Samyakkaraña). These five are
17. Dr. J. P. Jain, Religion and Culture of the Jains, (1975) p. 119. 18. "Luguta Mosf sfat otta"
-Lalita Vistara Vol. I Sri Haribhadrasori, Commentary by Śri Bhanuvijayaji
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