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CHAPTER-VII
303
The Vyavaharaabhasis Observing
Hereditary Religion Many people are Jainas only because of birth in a Jain family. They do not know the differentia of Jain religion but follow the hereditary religious practices. Such Jainas adopt hereditary religious practices as do other people of non-Jaina faiths about their religious practices. If religion lies in observing hereditary practices then the Mohammedans, etc. would also be treated as religious persons. Where then lies the speciality of Jain religion?
The same is stated thus in Upadesh Siddhant Ratnamala: "लोयम्मि रायणीई णायं ण कुलकम्मि कइयावि । foto you fortet eut fouTCERIFENNETH 117 11" -
Meaning: In the world, in government policy also, justice is never administered on the basis of heredity. If a person is caught being involved in theft then he is not set free because he belongs to a family of thieves by heredity. He is definitely punished. How is it possible then to administer justice with reference to religious practices in the religion of omniscient Jina God on the basis of heredity?
And if the father be a pauper and the son becomes rich then son does not remain a pauper by considering heredity. What then is the purpose of heredity in religion? And the father may obtain hellish birth and the son may attain Moksha (iiberation), how is heredity maintained here? If the heredity be the determining factor the son also should have a hellish birth. Therefore, heredity has no role to play in religion.
If due to bad times, even in Jain religion, sinful persons have started the contrary practices of fostering objects of sensual pleasures by adoration of false deity - preceptor - religion then by interpreting the Shastras correctly one should give up such practices and act according to Jina's commandments.
Here someone may say that it is not justifiable to give up traditions and start new path of religion?
Answer: If one starts following a new path by his own understanding then it is not proper. By abandoning the eternal tradition of Jain religion described in Jain Shastras the sinful persons have
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