Jainism the Creed for All Times

Author(s): D S Baya
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 63

C. Conquerit g passions:
xi Conquering anger, xii Conquering pride, xiii Conquering guile,
xiv Conquering greed, D. Restrictions over the media of action:
XV Controlled mind, xvi Controlled body, xvii Controlled speech.
4. The fourth division prescribes control over the four media
of action - i Control over mind, ii Control over body, iii Control over speech, and
iv Control over the implements of violence.
It is plain from this analysis that Jainism accords very high priority to self-restraint and the comprehensive coverage given to it proves that it is an essential part of Jaina ethics. From this analysis it also becomes quite apparent that self-restraint and non-violence are complementary and that it is impossible to practice one without adhering to the other.
Penance -
Penance (Tapa) is the third hallmark of Jainism. Observance of non-violence and self-resteraint only result in avoiding fresh karmic bondage with the soul. However, the soul cannot achieve its ultimate goal of attaining spiritual emancipation without shedding the karmic bonds bonded earlier. Penance is the means to achieve such separation of the soul from the earlier bonded karma matter. The glorious place accorded to penance in the scheme of spiritual progress is evident from the fact that it has
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