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Dharma or spiritual duty is in the renunciation of flaws. Material renunciation is just a symbol of renouncing flaws. If the material things are given up and the flaws are not, then that kind of renunciation does not result in any spiritual benefit. The benefit ensues from renunciation done with good intent and for good purpose. They result in the waning of his flaws. The charity that is given with the purpose of gaining fame and honour from the society becomes a means of increase in the giver's pride and does not become that beneficial as it would, had it been given without such purpose and with a kind heart moved by the others' troubles
nd travails. Even the earlier kind of charity is beneficial for the recipient and because it is beneficial for at least one party, it is good nevertheless. It must be remembered that it is the pride associated with charity that is bad and not the charity as such.
Another benefit of service is that when one engages oneself in any service activity one also develops volitional tendencies towards that service. When he sees the beneficiaries of his service happy due to the benefits received through his service, he too becomes happy and he feels a kind of flawless pleasure. It gives rise to a feeling of generosity in him, which is beneficial for him. What is meant here is that it is better to serve in any way rather than not to serve at all for want of ideal volitional intentions. It does not result in any harm but is always beneficial. To serve with kindness and selflessness is thousand times more beneficial. That is, to serve with the intent of getting name and fame is also good but to serve without any selfish motive and without any desire is even more beneficial. Karmic Destruction Through Service -
Jaina tradition has accepted selfless service as a form of penance. Penance results in the destruction and separation of earlier bonded karmic accumulations. Attachment in the form of temptation for and dependence on the sensory enjoyment is the basic cause of karmic bondage. Therefore, as the attachment gets reduced, the dependence on the sensory enjoyments also diminishes. This dependence is the only bondage and freedom from this bondage is to become independent, which is nothing but liberation from karmic bondage.
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