Book Title: Jaina Philosophy
Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi, Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: World Jain Confederation

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Page 207
________________ NONNINGEN --- The Jaina Philosophy upon. There is another fly which goes to a sweet liquid, instead of something which is putrid He enjoys the sweetness of it, but in a short time, he, too, is drowned. Another fly settles on a sweet, dry substance, life loaf sugar. He enjoys it, and then flies away. If a person wishes to enjoy, he must be like the fly which got his enjoyment from the piece of dry sugar, and when it has been received, go away. A person wishing to become a great master must not care for sensuous enjoyments. Ultimately we come to the point that a person must not be subject to prejudices. Must not be a slave of passion. He must not allow himself to be engrossed by enjoyments. He may then, after overcoming and acquiring those things needful, all of which are within his ability, becomes a true adept. Can he not enjoy all pleasures? What are they for? This philosophy teaches us that the person who rules the wealthy, the great person, is greater than the great and wealthy person who is ruled. A person may be in poverty, may not possess a cent's worth of his own property, but he way still rule many people who are great. Real enjoyments do not consist in the possession of riches, wealth, or ordinary worldly power, but in wisdom and knowledge. The object of human life is not enjoyment. It is wisdom. Why do we do certain things? It is not for enjoyment. In the light of this philosophy pains and pleasure are not for the purpose of accepting the pleasure, and avoiding the pain. It is to accept both for the purpose of receiving fresh strength from them. If they are regarded in that light, the person liberates his mind from passions, evils and all the lower emotions. If he can do this he can possess all the power the world holds. There are one or two points I will mention in connection with the subject. Astral vision implies there must be an astral substance. What is it? It is a fluid, a subtle substance which permeates the whole universe. It is in the body and in the entire 198 Jain Education International For Personal & Private Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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