________________
260
MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
Arguments Supporting Negligence in Conduct
and their Refutation Refutation of those false arguments by which worship of false preceptors is established :
Here someone argues-“In the absence of preceptor(Guru) we shall be treated as having no preceptor (Nigura) and the real preceptors are not found in the present times, should we, therefore, not believe these (monks) as preceptors?",
Answer : Those persons only can be treated as Niguras (preceptorless) who do not believe in preceptors. And the one who has belief in the true preceptor but not finding the true characteristics of a real preceptor in the so-called Gurus in this region, does not believe in them, he cannot be treated as a Nigura (preceptorless). For example, one who does not believe in God is called an atheist and one who believes in God but not finding the true characteristics of real God in the so-called Gods in this region, does not believe in them, then he does not become an atheist.
He further argues- “In Jaina scripture, the absence of omniscient (Kewali-Jina) is described in the present time, but the presence of a real preceptor (possessionless naked ascetic) is not denied?"
Answer: It is not stated that the true preceptor monks will be found in particular regions but it is stated that they will be found in Bharat-Kshetra. Bharat-Kshetra is very vast region, the existence of true monks may be found in some part of it, that is why absence of true monks is not described. If you believe the existence of true monks in the same region where you live, then if you go in a region where even such kind of monks will not be available, then whom shall you regard as preceptor (Guru)? For example, the availability of swans is described in the present time, but if the swans are not actually seen then the other kind of birds cannot be treated to be swans. Similarly, the availability of true monks is described in the present time, but if the true monks are not actually found then others (so-called monks) cannot be treated to be true monks.
Further, he says- "Even the imparter of knowledge of one syllable is believed to be the Guru (preceptor), how should then one Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
ww
