Practical Path

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 90

NIRJARA.
77
on the laity, though owing to the fruition of subha (auspicious) karmas of a past life, or lives, the course of training may be considerably shortened in particular cases.
Thus, the spiritual training of the soul consists of two sets of rules, one of which apply to the laity and the other to those who have reached the state of vairágya (renunciation of the world). The dynamic power which enables a man to persevere in the observance of these rules lies in the craving of the soul for liberation, and the craving itself is rooted in the knowledge that the life in samsára is full of pain and misery, and that the âtman, the true source of immortality and bliss, is to be freed from the bondage of sin before it can manifest its natural attributes in perfection. It must be conceded that so long as the soul depends on any outside agency for the attainment of the highest state of existence known as the status of the siddhâtman, it only betrays its inner emptiness and negativity which are a sure sign of failure in the spiritual realm.
Of the rules prescribed for laymen and saints, those suitable for the former are divided into twevle vratas (vows) and eleven pratimâs, in addition to thirty-five minor directions for general conduct enjoined on every house-holder.
The layman must begin with the avoidance of the five atichâras (short-comings) of faith, namely, (i) entertainment of doubt after once being convinced of truth, (ii) desire to belong to another faith, (iii) beginning to doubt the efficacy of the Law (dharma) in moments of suffering, (iv) praising hypocrites, and (v) constant association with