Pearls of Jaina Wisdom

Author(s): Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 79

The Eternal Message of Jaina Wisdom
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do cruel acts and hence are tied to the cycle of birth and death. In Daśavaikālika Sūtra it is said, "One should endeavour on the path of righteousness before old age creeps up, the senses become feeble and man falls prey to all kinds of diseases" (Daśa. Sū., 8.36 ).
Dharma preached by Mahāvīra is called Vītaraga Dharma. He himself practised it first and then preached the same to others. In religion, internal purity is more important than external observance. Lord Mahāvīra says in Uttarādhyayana Sūtra, "The path of salvation really rests in insight, critical knowledge and pure conduct; cloths and other religious paraphernalia are just outside symbols." It has been repeatedly declared by both Svetambara and Digambara Agamas that "Even if an ascetic walks about unclad, grows lean and eats only once after months of rigorous fasting, if filled with deceit, he will be born endless number of times" (Sūtra. Sū., 1.2.1.9 ). Catholicity of Approach
There has been catholicity and absence of domgatic approach in Jaina belief. Lord Mahāvīra said that Dharma is of prime importance to every one in life. In Daśavaikālika Sūtra, he says that righteousness ( Dharma) is supremely auspicious. Its constituents are non-violence, self-restraint and austerity. Even the celestials rever him who is rooted in Dharma ( Daśa. Sū., 1.1). Any person, irrespective of caste, creed and colour can follow this path and will be considered as a Jain.
Non-absolutism ( Anekāntavāda)
The theory of many angles of truth or Anekāntavāda is a comprehensive Jaina view, postulating that truth is manifold and any particular thing can be viewed from manifold aspects. Each point of view yields a different conclusion. Thus, Non-absolutism ( Anekāntavāda) strengthens the autonomy of thought of every individual. According to Jainism, a certain thing exists only with reference to its particular substance ( dravya ), space ( kṣetra), time (kāla) and mode ( bhāva ). Those who believe in absolute point of view, laying emphasis only on a single aspect of an object, are