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Pearls of Jaina Wisdom
compared with those blind persons, who in order to obtain the knowledge of the shape of an elephant, feel its ear, trunk, feet and other parts of the body separately, and believe that they have the complete view of the shape of the elephant. Thus the doctrine of Non-absolutism tries to find out the unity out of diverse points of view and admits that there is an element of truth in all religions which are but different approaches to the problems of humanity from different points of view.
Non-possession ( Aparigraha)
Parigraha is clinging to possessions that is, harboring such false notion as 'this is mine' and imagining that one can hold on forever to what he now 'possesses'. The term also includes the four passions. The essence of non-possession is to avoid activities which generate these passions. But such renunciation is not possible unless a person has detached himself from the external possessions like land, houses, jewellery and miscellaneous goods. For a layman, nonpossession is expressed by setting of limits upon what he may own. Thus, by undertaking the vow of non-possession, a Jaina layman systematically reduces his tendencies to fall into possessiveness; thus he protects his soul from increased karmic entanglement and lays the groundwork for complete non-attachment, the path of the mendicant.
Ethical Code of Conduct
Jaina scriptures describe the conduct elaborately, expected from a monk as well as a house-holder. The monk and nuns observe the five great vows ( Mahāvratas) and the laity five primary vows (Aṇuvratas). The five Mahāvratas are total abstinence from violence, falsehood, stealing, sexual indulgence and possessions. This four-fold congregation known as Dharma Tīrtha ( centre of worship) is still observed and proves that Jainism is a living religion. There are numerous monks and nuns and nearly ten million house-holders continuing the tradition, following virtually the same path as prescribed by Jinas. Jaina monks and nuns move about in
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