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The Jains through Time
Jain Education International
thing, and promoting vegetarianism is a good thing, then what is stopping you from doing all these good things?'
Today people are logical and independent thinkers. They want answers to these questions. Jainism promotes detachment from the actions you take. It does not preach the abandoning of those actions themselves. Tirthankar Mahavir said, 'Asam Ca Chandam Ca Vigiñca Dhire' - Wise people give up their desires and attachments yet continue to do good.
Jainism is about taking action. It is about finding fulfilment through one's good deeds. Tirthankar Rishabhdev, in this avsarpini kal (regressive half cycle), was the first promoter of purusharth - taking action. He first taught people how to work and then he instructed them in religion. In other words, work is essential. Deeds indissolubly linked with life and creation. If along with the doing of deeds the mind is awakened by religious teachings, then those
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deeds become pure because they are being performed without any desire for reward in return. That alone makes them effective and inspirational. They become good deeds. As such deeds are emulated, goodwill spreads like a chain reaction. Actions performed with detachment do not bind, rather they open the door for liberation. If abstaining from action were sufficient to extinguish karmic consequences, then why were we asked to practice actions like fasting, meditation, rituals, charity and other such cardinal virtues? Why did we need to establish religious orders at all? At one time you could just go into the jungle and gain liberation through solitary meditation there, but Jainism has not accepted the abnegation of action as religion, rather it has asked us to keep a taste for doing things, whilst remaining detached from the results of our actions. Inaction must be given up and selfless work towards the good should be wholeheartedly embraced.
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