________________
The Jains through Time
239
follow the path of attaining the final truth in this world can continue to exist without sometimes lose their way, and they think taking action. It's a great mistake to ignore that they should abandon all action. They something as essential as this. Under the believe that because every action taken pretence of religion and in the pursuit of involves karmic consequences, their final knowledge, the belief that one's actions liberation will be prevented. Therefore, to bind one to karmic consequences has do nothing seems much more attractive and flourished. Some people decide to do to take action seems counter-productive. nothing, hoping that this will prevent them They say that since every action brings being 'bound' in any way. And this inaction about karmic consequences that increase has become a religion in itself. It obscures the cycle of birth and death, they feel that the light of true religion. Though this sort of we should not take any action at all. People thing happens all the time in the name of believe that they should do nothing, and religion, in actual fact it reduces the status of that they should stay aloof from taking religion. action whilst still remaining in the world. But one has to remember that without How are we going to carry out the simple attaining perfect knowledge, even the tasks of life if we decide to do nothing. 'inactive' commit deeds with karmic Where there is life, there are things to do, consequences; even thought brings karmic such as building a house, preparing food and consequences. No one can live in this world looking after other bodily necessities. In without taking action. Tirthankar Mahavir doing these tasks some act of violence or says that so long as there is life, one has to hurt of some kind is bound to happen. engage in taking action.
Some people feel that since these actions
involve violence, they destroy the purity of To take action is to be alive! Life itself means our souls and bind us with negative karma. action. To think otherwise is a denial of life This misinterpretation confuses people itself. The Bhagavad Gita says no living thing about religion.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
