________________
The Jains through Time
240
How will we live if we stop taking action or Mahavir to get someone else to do on your cease to do things for ourselves? Generally behalf any action that you don't want to do the answer to this question is that we must yourself. One does not escape the karmic not do anything ourselves or we will be consequences of the actions in that way. In committing a violent act. Someone else fact, the karmic consequences will be should prepare food for us, sew our clothes, compounded. build our houses, publish our books, arrange for our security, commit acts of violence for Those who are on the path of knowledge, us. I would then ask: Do we escape from sin are respected in society, and behave if another person does everything for us? decently, should remain more active in their Will the doer alone reap the guilt of sin lives and do good deeds. When Tirthankar while the beneficiary of the deed remains Mahavir was asked whether it is better to be free from karmic consequences? No. We active or to do nothing, he replied, "Those cannot place the rifle on someone else's who are good and pure should be active. shoulder, take aim ourselves, pull the trigger They should arm themselves with and then let them take the blame. This type knowledge and experience in order to fight of specious argument has given rise to many evil in society." If the good do not do ridiculous observances or so-called something, the bad certainly will, and their traditions within the fold of religion. actions will make society suffer. Power will
pass into the hands of those who are not This one-sided view shows a complete lack guided by compassion or discretion. of understanding. It has brought us into Individuals, society and finally the nation disrepute. How can we expect others to do will suffer if the power is handed over to things we won't do ourselves. What is these people. wrong is wrong, whether you do it or someone else does for you. It is against It is not right for people to strive to do morality and the teachings of Tirthankar nothing. The good should do more. Pure
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
