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Jaina Philosophy and Religion
at all. When we injure others, we injure ourselves, that is, our spiritual nature. Vices like jealousy, envy, hatred, enmity, etc., harm others and generate social unrest and disturbances and perpetrate violence on one's ownself. So all Indian saints strongly teach man to shun all these defects and defilements. The Jaina and the Patañjala Yoga philosophies recommend man to cultivate four good qualities (feelings) of heart on the basis and for the promotion of the fundamentally wholesome attitude of viewing all beings as equal with one's own self. And on account of the constant practice of these four feelings, it becomes very easy for one to gradually ascend the higher and higher stages of spiritual evolution. The four feelings in point are as follows:
Feeling of Friendliness (Maitrī-bhāvanā) To cultivate and nourish feeling of friendliness towards all beings is called maitri-bhāvanā. When the feeling of friendliness is cultivated and practised in regard to all living beings whatsoever, then alone is it possible for one to be non-violent, truthful, etc., towards all living beings. Friendliness means to view others as one views oneself and hence the tendency or desire not to cause pain or injury to others just as one does not cause pain or injury to oneself; not only that, but it also means positive tendency or desire to do good to others. The specific referential object of friendliness is all living beings.
Feeling of Gladness (Pramoda-bhāvanā) Often it so happens that one develops a feeling of jealousy on seeing someone superior to oneself in respect of material wealth and prosperity. If this superiority of that person is the result of his good qualities or of the merit acquired through past good actions and if he employs it again in good activities, then instead of being jealous of him one should praise his good activities and spiritual qualities and feel pleased to see him advancing on the path of righteousness and nobleness. Of course, it is quite proper if one feels righteous indignation towards immoral an vicious conduct of others. But it is absolutely wrong for us to entertain
1. kāma eșa krodha esa rajogunasamudbhavaḥ/ mahāśano mahāpāpmå viddhy enam iha vairinam //37//--Bhagavad-Gītā, III. This is craving, this is anger, born of passion, all-consuming and most evil. Know this to be the foe here.
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