Positive Contents of jainism

Author(s): Joharimal Parikh
Publisher: Z_Parshvanath_Vidyapith_Swarna_Jayanti_Granth_012051.pdf

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Joharimal Parekh
'Ācārānga' (9/1/16), 'that Omniscient Intellectual Giant (Mahāvira ) knowing fully well has made a unique proposition of activity in two varieties." And it has been prescribed for a monk to recite twice a day that, "I accept (enter into ) activity and denounce inactivity".2
Having made the positive statement that it is a philosophy of activity the other three remaining philosophies have been specifically rejected. Akryāvādi is, one who believes in inactivity or rather who does not believe in activity. One can find severe criticism of Kriyā (activity) at more than one places. Afraid of bondage and future etc., Akryāvādis propound inactivity. People who believe in self-inactivity, confronted by others concede there liberation; being involved in violence etc. and deeply engrossed in worldly objects, they do not know the duties which lead to salvation.
Being ignorant, these Akryāvādis make all types of statements in ambiguous language and being confused and unable to reply, they keep mum. At a time they take both the sides and contradictory stands and approve of activity in disguise. Such people whirl endlessly in this world. For them in this unreal and absolutely actionless whole world there is neither sunrise or sunset, nor waxes or wanes of Moon, nor flowing of water, nor blowing of winds. Like a blind man who has lost his eye-sight, cannot see anything even through the lamp, these Akryāvādis also due to perverse attitude cannot perceive activity, though a reality.5
Similarly people engrossed only in Bhakti ( quite different from full faith in true principles ) doing nothing for their salvation have also been criticised.
Many a persons who are Vinayavādis think truth as untruth and bad as good or vice versa and when asked always uphold Bhakti. For real knowledge, they see their salvation in Bhakti alone. So also Ajñānavādi (nescient) philosophy has been totally rejected and reference, can be made to Sūtrakrtānga (1. 1/4146, 12/2 & 14/12,13). Thus it is clear beyond doubt that Jainas have opted for Kryāvāda, 'parasamaya akiriyā' ( theories other than Jaina are inactivists Anuyogadvāra 525 (3), and insist on the putting of knowledge into action? "ähasut. vijjacaranam pamokkham". Bhagavati Sūtra 25 (7) and Aupapātika - 20 prescribe that Kryāvādis should be given all respects and that people born in Karmabhūmi (i.e. land full of activity ) alone can attain Liberation. Daśāśruta Skandha also condemns Akryāvāda and highly praises Kryāvāda ( see chapter 5/3,14-16 and 6/13,15). One more authority may be quoted to crystalise this position : 10
Kryāvādi alone can attain the high stages of pure uncoloured soul (Alesya) right faith (samyagdrsti ), five types of knowledge ( mati-śruta-avadhi-manah