________________
Mahaparijna
-
The Great comprehension and Abandonment
Vimokkho
Liberation
Uvahanasuyasam
-
The treatment of penance
Dr Schubring has pointed out that in the text edited by him the Acharanga consists of a good number of poetic verses along with prose.
Subject Matter
The main contents of Acharanga are as follows:
1. Concept of soul and non-violent activities of ascetics 2. Sensitivity to nature 3. Narration of authentic ascetic life of Lord Mahavira.
1. Concept of soul and non-violent activities of ascetics The very first chapter of Acharanga starts with the concept of soul and non-violent activities of ascetics mainly the life-style, precepts-mannerisms, education-language, etc. are described for liberation of soul. In the chapter of metaphysics of this book, some reflections on the characteristics of the soul are already made.
(i) Concept of Soul Soul exists. Souls are infinite in number. However, each soul has its own independent individuality, meaning thereby that each soul has its own independent existence. Neither is there any supreme entity like 'God' of which they are parts, nor are they the manifestations of 'Brahama'. 'Pleasure and pains are self-inflicted' – this dictum clearly proclaims the independence of the soul.
It is eternal, as time is eternal. It is the subject of action - it is the doer. It reaps the fruits - karma. Karmas cause suffering. All suffering sprouts out of passions. There is Nirvana - emancipation. There is path to attain emancipation - Nirvana
(ii) Passions Consciousness is the characteristic i.e. special attribute of the soul. Empirical souls are in bondage with Karmas. Karmas cause suffering. Mahavira says 'For comprehending the misery of the world avoid its cause-passion. All the sufferings sprout out of passions. Violence is also a cause of suffering. Suffering is caused by passions. If the seed of passions is crushed, suffering gets eradicated altogether i.e. transcends the cyclic path
140
