Jaina Acara Siddhanta aur Svarupa

Author(s): Devendramuni
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 49

Jaina Acāra : Siddhanta aura Swarüpa
15 The other meaning is that a devotee must not hate or discaard ascetics because of their dirty clothing. He should look for their sterling qualities and must not be deceived by their external aeeouterment. He must not expect them to be body-worshippers, since the body is a mere means, though an important one, to be preserved for spiritual heights. Samantabhadra says that the body which is naturally impure is sanctified by the three gems that Jaina ascetics cannot do without.
The fourth one is 'Amūdhadrstiva'. Infatuation or stupidity means ignorance, illusion, doubt and contrariety. One cannot get rid of evils till one adopts the right attitude in his dealings with people and himself. 'Devamüdhata' means that a lustful and indignant person is apt to confuse a demon with a god. 'Lokamüdhatā' means that one will become pure by merely taking a dip in some river or ocean or by falling from a mountain, taking it to be a religious act or by burning and being drowned, etc. 'Samayamūdhatā' is disregard for religion and its sacred literature. A man of right faith takes right decisions based on faultless reasoning and a pure intellect. He is no slave to traditions and meaningless conventions. 'Upayệnghana' is to encourage and strengthen others' qualities, thus augmenting one's own. His inauspicious mental impressions are rendered weak, whereas the auspicious ones are ever on the increase. 'Sthirikarana' is to make one firm and immovable or to reclaim a derelict to such an extent that he cannot think of retracing his steps. Misfortunes never come alone. In such a perplexing situation one is liable to feel perturbed and adopt wrong means. If somebody were to lose character, a right devotee should find out the underlying cause and treat him accordingly, Räjimati thus could bring round the ascetic Rathanemi. To help others in such situations is to help oneself, since in these attempts the eye is focussed on good qualities. 'Vatsalya' is to have unalloyed affection for one's co-religionists and associates. It should not be tainted by selfishness. As a cow loves her calf because she cannot help it, so a devotee showers affection on all without expecting any return. Whatever food or clothing others want should be provided ungrudgingly. If need be, a devotee should sacrifice even his life for a noble cause.
Prabhāvanā- Men of right faith evince it in their action which very much influences other ordinary persons. Their character and their dealings affect others. An ordinary person cannot fathom the depths of religion, but when reflected in the lives of holy souls they spread their aroma everywhere. The above eight rules of conduct are to support one in steadiness and equanimity of mind. Kinds of Right Faith :
There are many obstructions such as anger, pride, deceit, avarice, wrong notions, deluding thoughts and the like which come in the way of the