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MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
Here someone may ask that the Chandalas etc. untouchable (low category) persons also take the vows; how do they take into consideration all these things?
Answer: They take the vow with strong determination that they will not give up the vow even if they have to suffer from miseries ending in death. They have no feeling of disrespect towards the vow.
And whatever vows the true believers take they do so on the basis of right knowledge of Tattvas.
Further, those who do not have internal feeling of detachment and dispassion and take some external vow, they indulge with excessive fondness in the beginning and end of the vow of the object which they have forsaken. For example, in the meals taken before and after observing the fast, they take heavy rich food with excessive greed passion and do this hurriedly. So, as the flow of water was obstructed, when the obstruction got removed then immediately excessive flow started. Similarly by means of vow the indulgence in the objects of senses was kept checked but the internal fondness towards it went on increasing and at the end of the period of vow excessive indulgence in the object of senses started. This means that even during the period of the vow the longing for sensuous objects (carnal desire) was not really controlled; before and after the period of the vow,excessive fondness towards it arose but the fruit (of taking vow) could be reaped only on the destruction of attachment feeling. Therefore, one should take the vow in the measure in which dispassionate feeling is evolved. Even the great monks, after taking the vow of lower degree, gradually reduce the quantity of food, etc. And if they take the vow of higher degree, they do so after ascertaining their strength (of body and soul). Thus, they act in a manner which is conducive to acceleration of higher thoughts. Only such type of religious practice is fruitful which would neither cause negligence nor result in restlessness.
Further, those who do not have religious attitude they sometimes follow higher religious practices but at other times indulge in unrestrained practices. For example, in some religious festivals they take meals, etc. many times. If there be religious attitude then they
should observe suitable continence, etc. in all the religious festivals. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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