Book Title: Jaina Acara Siddhanta aur Svarupa
Author(s): Devendramuni
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Page 218
________________ 184 Poets, scientists, writers and students want to pursue their studies in a peaceful atmosphere, undisturbed by party feuds. A spiritual aspirant also desires a secluded place. After having practised austerities for some years he may join a religious Order, but in case he wants to leave for higher purposes, he may, but not without permission from the head of the Order. (2) Sarira-It is detachment of the self from the body. That this is mine or thine creates differences. Pride of one's possessions makes for strong attachment. It means treating body and self as separate and also treating the body no more than a means for spiritual advancement. (3) Jaina Acara: Siddhanta aura Svarupa good as they should be and still others indifferent. This is why earnest seekers were loath to join an organisation. (4) Bhaktapana-Man cannot live without bread but he cannot live even with bread. This is to limit food and water, since the body is to be maintained, not pampered. Let us now consider the subjective kinds of renunciation: (1) Kaṣaya-It makes the self dirty and so obstructs spiritual growth. It denotes astringency. If you consume astringent food, your appetite becomes much less. When passions predominate, the desire for release is, as if,not there 'kaşa' etymologically means to rake, to dig and to cultivate. It is what makes the crop of binding karma grow. What is needed is discrimination. Without differentiating the ideal from mundane practices, water from milk, the cycle of birth will go on moving. Passions must be attenuated for the good of the soul. Sansara-It means not the world, but hell, animal or sub-human species, man and god. They cannot be renounced literally. The aim should be the renunciation of desires, because it is desires that create the world. With their annihilation, the world exists not. Karma-The Jainas have written extensively on karma. The white-clad have composed more than a lac verses and the sky-clad more than three lacs on karma which engaged the attention of one and all. One should first know why karmas bind and then how to be rid of them. (2) (3) Upadhi-Amassing wealth, possessiveness, attachment to worldly objects are serious obstructions to penance. Attachment to possessions creates vicious complications. To go on increasing necessities is to be ensnared in the world. This is why for Jaina monks and nuns the necessities are well defined and the advice is to limit them still further to the minimum. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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