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JAINISM
101
LIGHTH VOW
(INARTHADANDA-VIRAMANA VRATA)
The Sanskrit name of this you consists of five words the first of which is a negative; the second mcans profit, benefit, motive, aim, object, necessary reason, purpose, concern, etc.; the third word in the name means evils or had effects; and the last two words mean undertaking to refrain from.
So this eighth vow is an undertaking not to incur unnecessary evils.
We bring unnecessary evils upon ourselves to no purpose, by indulging in thoughts, words, and deeds in which there is no benefit to society, to our friends, or to ourselves.
A layman cannot avoid the evils entailed by his necessary pursuits; but he can undertake to avoid the evils entajled by unnecessary pursuits and activities, such as thinking about, speaking about, or otherwise busying hinnself with matters that do not concern him or in which there is no benefit.
The following are some of the ways in which we do things in which there is no benefit:
Constantly fearing the loss of any of the good things we have --Wealth, friends, health.
Constantly fearing that bad things which we are at present without, may come upon us,--pain, poverty. disease.
Undue anxiety to get rid of disease, poverty, etc., when once they are upon us. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
