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The Jains through Time
hands should be powerful hands. Decent people should enhance their capacity to do good. Those who seek the truth should further develop their capacity for doing things for others. They must serve society and spread the light of their knowledge. By battling against the evils that afflict society, they can purify it and raise it to a higher plane. Seers have shown us this through the ages:
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Asarginiya Parijanassa Sarginhanayāē
Abbhutthēyavvam Bhavati Gilānassa Agilānayāē Vēyāvacca Karanayāē
Abbhutthēyavvam Bhavati
The biographies of the Tirthankars are vividly depicted in the Jain Agamas. The chronicles of their lives dramatically illustrate the fact that they were all 'karmayogis' in the true sense of the word. They were detached from the results of their actions, but they were certainly not indifferent to the actions themselves. They were not motivated by the slightest personal consideration, yet they continuously performed great humanitarian deeds. Having attained Keval-gyan (the final knowledge), there was nothing more for them to achieve. Once they gained the thirteenth level of gunasthanak (the ladder of spiritual development), they achieved liberation from the chain of cause and effect - the cycle of birth and death. They had reached the heights of their spiritual purification, yet they continued to teach, to practice asceticism, to establish religious orders, to initiate aspirants, to instruct them and speak on doctrinal matters. They were ready to travel hundreds of miles to counsel people in need of instruction. These great sages and seers are an example of dynamic action and good works. They are role
Always be ready to give relief or protection to those who are oppressed and afflicted. Always be ready to serve the sick and suffering. In this way knowledge enters the realm of action and creates a very special path to liberation called “karma-yoga'. The truly knowledgeable will never stay inactive or be passive bystanders while society remains plagued by evils.
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