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JAINISM we really require, and will we trouble to use and to guard?
These, five things are spiritual qualities, the inherent natures of the soul. They are the first five special rules or vows which are taken in part by the layman, and in a literal way by the monk, as already detailed.
The next step in the process may be to meditate upon purity of body, by washing, and by feeding it with pure foods. Meat and alcohol should be avoided, also vegetables that get no sun, like those growing underground. All foods which irritate or dull should be avoided. Meditate on purity of mind, in four ways:
(1) Love; an attitude which is higher than acquaintance, higher than something done for a friend, you do something for the person who is a friend, and perhaps if he never does anything for you in return, you wonder why, and may be disappointed. But when love is the motive, you love to do the thing for the person, and it is a pleasure, and you do not expect any return, and so are not disappointed if there is none.
(2) Love towards the suffering will be in the form of compassion, pity, and active relief, when possible.
(3) Love towards the happy will be in the form of rejoicing, or gladness, an absence of envy or jealousy.
(4) Love towards the criminal or cruel person means an absence of revengeful feeling; it may be a sort of indifference, neither hatred nor approval. Or, in a higher form, love towards the cruel will take the form of pity. If you see a lame dog, perhaps diseased, you are not
angry with the dog, you pity it; it is suffering. Thus you Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org
