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CHAPTER-VIII
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statements. The birthplace of Lord Neminath Tirthankara is stated to be in Sauripur at one place and Dwaravati at other place. So, at whatever place he might have been born but taking of birth in a town is not unauthentic because even today persons are born in towns.
Further, in other (non-Jaina) faiths, their scriptures are stated to have been composed by persons having true knowledge like the omniscient, etc., but in them the statements are found to be contradictory. At some place the celibate from childhood is praised, at other place it is stated that “Benefaction is not possible without the birth of son.” So, how can both statements be true? Such contradictory statements are found abundant there. Further, many unauthentic statements are found therein. For example, one such statement is "Semen fell in the mouth of a fish and it gave birth to a son”. Such an event is not found associated with any one in the present era and by inference also this is not possible. Such innumerable statements are found there. If in these cases it is inferred that these are faults of omniscients then how could he make such mistakes? And contradictory statements cannot be believed. Therefore, it is concluded that faults lie in their faiths. With such ascertainment, one should follow the preachings found in Jina's religion only.
The Sequence of Studying the Anuyogas One should study the Prathamaanuyoga, etc. There is no such rule that first one should study this Anuyoga and then study that Anuyoga; But keeping in view the state of one's own thoughts and dispositions, one should study the same Anuyoga which might encourage him to follow religion. Alternatively, one may study sometimes one Shastra and at other time some other Shastra. For example, in the journal, various transactions are entered at different places; by correct posting of these transactions in the account, one can ascertain the state of debits and credits. Similarly, in the Shastras different types of sermons are found at different places; so, if in true knowledge one identifies it with the true purpose, then he may determine one's weal and woe.
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