________________
decided to totally abjure sinful activities. Hence they do not get salvation.
It is because this total cesation from sinful activities is exceedingly important that the Jain monks have to take a pledge that they will not indulge in such as violence etc., nor will they cause it to be done, and will also not support or condone such violent, sinful activities to be proper throughout their life and they will remain free from this sin through mind, through speech and through their body. Thus, their pledge to renounce sinful activities totally is threefold. It is thus, that, such a conduct is called right conduct on the part of a Jain monk. It is because of this great pledge an irrevocable vow that Jain monks can never return to wordly life. They are also forbidden to cook food but depend upon what they collect by way of alms. Even in this alms begging, they do not accept any food which is specifically prepared for them, because in accepting such food they see the endorsement of violence which results in distroying and harming their gret pledge not to commit any sin. The upshot of this discussion is that right conduct means total ceasation from sinful activities which is accompanied by right faith. This certainly enhances the upward march of the soul. However, so far as the householder is concerned, he has to practice the above vow of cesation from sins in a limited way in order to achieve such upliftment.
·
How beneficial and full of blessings it would be to the human society at large if the world were to proceed in accordance with the principles of
Jain Education International
37
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
