________________
310
MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
The Vyavaharaabhasis Observing Religion for
Temporal gains Further, those persons who become Jains or follow Jainism deceitfully with the object of earning livelihood or for gaining name & fame or with the purpose of achieving some object pertaining to sensual pleasures, are assuredly the sinners only. On the rise of extreme intense passions only such an intention is found. Their disentaglement also is difficult.
Jain religion is followed only for bringing an end to the worldly transmigration; those who wish to accomplish the worldly objects through it do a great injustice to it. Therefore, they are obviously false believers only.
Here someone argues-“The objectives which are fulfilled through injury, etc. if achieved by adopting religious practices then what is wrong in it? Both the purposes are attained?
Answer: By adopting only one and the same means for fulfilling sinful and religious objects vice alone is caused. For example, if someone constructs a temple (chaityalaya) for religious practices and uses it as a means of indulging in vicious acts like adultery, etc., then the sin alone will be caused. If he constructs a separate house for the purpose of enjoying sensuous adultery, etc., by involvement in injurious acts, he may do so, but indulging in acts of sensuous pleasures in the temple (chaityalaya) is not desirable. Similarly worshipping Jinas, studying the Shastras etc. are means of religious practices. If these are also used as means of sinful acts like earning livelihood, etc., then such a person is a sinner only. By adopting injurious means, if one indulges in business, etc. for earning livelihood, etc. he may do so, but it is not at all worthwhile to think of earning livelihood, etc. through religious acts like worshipping, etc.
Question: If is is so, then the monks too take food at other's house for observing religious practices and the coreligionists mutually help each other. How is it justifiable?
Answer: They do not observe religious practices with the intention of earning livelihood, etc. Knowing them religious persons,
many householders of their own help them by offering food, etc. No Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
