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mode also leaves the soul. Thus, from the Jaina point of view it is not correct in any way to consider meritorious karma as deplorable or abandonable. Therefore, to consider the auspicious activities of mercy, kindness, compassion, charity, service, affection, friendship, etc., which are the means of earning merit, as deplorable and abandonable is to consider dharma and virtues as deplorable and abandonable. This is gross irreligiousness. It is to consider dharma as adharma, which is false belief.
Again, it is noteworthy that the best stage of influx and intensity of the meritorious karma is reached while one is engaged in the pious and pure-white meditation. (Dhyānaśataka, verses 93-94) This influx of meritorious karma is not a cause of worldly transmigration. (Dhyānaśataka, verse 95) The noble combination of body mind and speech (meritorious karmic influx) destroys the infinite modes of destructive karmas (Uttarādhyayana sūtra, 29.7). The meritorious karmic bonds are earned through meritorious karmic influx and compassion and pure volition are the means of meritorious karmic influx (Bhagavti Ārādhanā, verse 1828; Mülācāra, verse 235; Jayadhavalā commentary Bk. 1, p. 96, verse 52). These are the means of liberation as well. Therefore, to prohibit meritorious karmic influx and bondage is to prohibit compassion and pure volition. To prohibit pure volition is to inhibit the path of liberation. Therefore, to consider the meritorious karmic influx and bondage as deplorable and abandonable and to consider its destruction as spiritual practice is to oppose the path of liberation.
Compassion is a characteristic of right vision and pure volition is right conduct. Right vision and right conduct are the means of attaining liberation. Therefore, to deny compassion and pure volition is to oppose the path of liberation. The outward result of compassion is in the form of auspicious activities like mercy, kindness, compassion, charity, service, affection, friendship, etc., and the internal result is in the form of detachment and liberation and also the external result of all these auspicious activities is the earning of meritorious karma. The
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