Jain Theism

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Hemant Shah

Page 94

CHAPTER - 4
JAIN ETHICS 4.1 Jain Ethics In Theistic Presuppositions
The mataphysics and epistemology are the theoretical foundation of philosophy. “The third branch-ethics-may be regarded as its technology.""! All the great religions of the world have emphatically considered ethics to be a very important code of rules to govern man's conduct in the society. Ethics has been defined as "the study of what is right or good in conduct. It is the general theory of conduct and considers the action of human beings with reference to their rightness or wrongness, their tendency to good or to evil."'? In Indian philosophy, “Pūrvamīmāmsā defines Dharma (ethics) as rules laid down by Vedas."3 According to Jainism" Dharma (ethics) is made up of non-violence, self-control and austerity." In the West, ethics is the study of what is right or good in conduct. Internationally aclaimed thinker, novelist and author of many books on philosophy Ayn Rand says, "Ethics does not apply to everything that exists, only to man, but it applies to every aspect of man's life : his character, his actions, his values, his relationship to all of existence. Ethics or morality defines a code of values to guide man's choices and actions the choices and actions that determine the course of his life.""
The problem of ethics as seen in the varions systems of Indian philosophy is the attainment of "a state of complete mental pose, free, from discords and uncertainties of life.'*6 Jainism holds that all worldly pleasure is suffering in the ultimate analysis. All “Singing is but prattle, all dancing is but mocking, all ornaments are but a burden all pleasures produce but pain."'? The Jain ethics is concerned the most at the point
1. Ayn Rand, Philosophy Who Needs It. (1984) p. 3/4. 2. Mackenzie, Manual of Ethics, (1946) p. 1 3. Mimāmsādarśana, (1929) I, 1.2 4. at H eng 3 HT Ficht gati D.S.V 17. 5. Ayn Rand, Philosophy Who Needs It. (1984) p. 3 6. prof. Dayanand Bhargava, Jain Ethics, (1968) p. 9 7. "Hoc facifari titi, Hool Tg fúsferi
Ho 3119TUTT HITT, HO OTAT GATCET II U.S. 13. 16