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APPLICATION
THE NOTION OF GROWTH
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None of the Jaina scriptures offer an explanation why the restriction of one particular sense-experience would produce mental growth. The few dogmatic statements about this subject do not conform to the precision of Jaina knowledge which usually offers highly detailed explanations.
For all these reasons it is probable that between the time and teaching of Mahavir (557 to 527 BC) and the writing of the Tattvarthasutra 700 or 800 years later, the word brahma has changed its meaning - as it happened several times in the history of Sanskrit.
Starting from its original meaning ('expansion', 'growth') a-brahma can be understood as 'an aversion to growth'. Freedom from this is 'the intention to grow'. This interpretation is far more in step with the dynamic expansion that is the main trait of all Jaina knowledge, than its reduction to sexuality alone.
It certainly is everybody's own decision to interpret abrahma in the conventional way. In our modern world this would mean 'to be free from the compulsion to constantly search for (new) sexual partners'. However, it is recommended to observe if practicing this interpretation brings about the desired expansion of consciousness.
Yet - irrespective how this is assessed - the 'intention to grow' definitely constitutes a major element of every path to liberation (moksa).
Shocks or deep disappointments often trigger the search for a new orientation in life. Yet a permanent change in our life's direction will only happen when this initial impulse is actively pursued, - the desire for change alone will not cause life to take a different direction.
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