________________
140
Jaina Philosophy and Religion
tion. Similarly, doing good to others by means of one's bodily activities, helping others by employing one's body, or working for others through one's body is again a form of donation. Thus, we can perform the duty of donation in various ways.
Which donation is great? The simple answer to this question is that the donation of that thing which is needed at a particular time is great at that time. For the thirsty donation of water is great, for the hungry donation of food is great, for the one destitute of clothes donation of clothes is great, for the illiterate donation of literacy is great, and for the one who fears danger to one's life donation of safety to one's life is great. Thus donation of that thing which is needed most at a particular time is great at that time.
The donation must prove beneficial both to the person offering donation and to the person receiving it. The benefit accruing to the donor consists in that he is rid of the attachment felt for the thing concernedas a result of which he comes to develop a feeling of contentment and equanimity. The benefit accruing to the donee consists in that the thing concerned proves helpful to him in his life-journey as a result of which his virtues receive proper unfolding.
Is it not better to donate directly one's powers and faculties than to employ one's powers and faculties first in earning money and then to donate that money? Direct donation of powers and faculties means living a life imbued with the spirit of selfless service. Such a life becomes a life of renunciation. While treading the path of righteousness and morality and leading a diligent life, to impart pure and useful knowledge to students, to disseminate noble and wholesome ideas among the people, or to exhort others to devote their lives to good activities is superior to the donation of money. Learning and culture occupy the place higher than the one money occupies. Therefore, donation of knowledge is highly superior to that of money. The praiseworthiness of the donation of money lies in its being useful in carrying the benefits of this best donation of knowledge to the masses. It is necessary to bear in mind this gradation.
Service is the best form of donation. 'advesaḥ sarvabhūtānām maitrah
1. "The service of the poor is the service of God."
In the Bhagavatī-sūtra, Lord Mahāvīra, addressing his principal disciple Gautama Indrabhūti, says, "One who serves the sick and the miserable serves (worships, adores) me through right inclination, faith or vision (samyak-darśana); and one who serves (worships, adores) me through right inclination, faith or vision, does serve the sick and the miserable."
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
