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The Jains through Time
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shraman. If you get stuck in your old ways observance. It is the appropriateness of the and can't perceive the truth of the situation, practice alone that matters. Simply because then people will not admire you; you will a tradition has been followed for a long time bring dishonour to your sangh or bring your does not necessarily mean that it is always entire community into disrepute.
appropriate. The ability to properly
discriminate is necessary at all times. The great dialectician, Acharya Samantbhadra Whether a particular observance is ancient writes, 'The Tirthankars propound the or modern is utterly unimportant. What teachings of religion according to the needs counts is whether it is appropriate or not. As of the time. It is written in the Acharang Acharya Siddhasen, one of the great scholars Sutra, "The striver who is perceptive and of the Jain logic, said: 'Acharyas through the wise knows how to walk the different paths ages have laid down certain customs and of life. He uses his discrimination in trying beliefs, but do they stand the test of time? to understand the situation as a whole and Are they appropriate or fit to be used in behaves accordingly. 57
present day circumstances? If a particular
observance passes the test, then we can Do you find any opposition to change in all accept and respect it. We must not, however, of these teachings? Does it seem that there subscribe to something simply because it is is an excessive attachment to the status quo? old and established. It is said that we should No. There is wisdom and intelligence here. maintain the honour and prestige of our Where wisdom and intelligence exist, so dead heroes, but I was not born simply to be too do awareness and awakening, and then a 'yes-man' - to keep up the good name of only can one find the truth.
those long gone. Even if anyone became
offended by what I have said or opposed to We often equate ancient customs with my views in any way, I would still not be propriety. But mere antiquity cannot suffice swayed from my path. 5* to sanctify a particular practice or
Desakāvanurupam Dharmam Kathayanti Tirtharikaran "Se Savvato Sawa Parinacari * Parātanakya Niyatā Vyavastha Tathava Sa Ka Paricintya Sētsyat
Tathēn Vaktun Marta-Rucha-Gaurava. Daha Na Jatan Prathayantu Viovisa
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