Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 69

(66) : Pristine Jainism would not happen if one is careful in examining the surface and then avoiding it or waking with adequate caution. Sometimes one carelessly utters words, which annoy the listeners, and consequences may be bad resulting in enmity and even fatal feuds. Likewise careless and evil thoughts will result in bad action and even without action, will pollute mind, manifesting in depressive, aggressive, sadistic, schizophrenic attitudes and mental illness.
In Jainism there is so much emphasis on practice that most rituals, devotional formalities are redundant and irrelevant. The only objective of worship etc is that it helps to recollect the teachings of enlightened ones (Arhats), take inspiration, concentrate, reflect and vow to practice. If this objective is not kept in mind then these lose all their importance. If rituals are for ritual's sake, then they are of no use. If one thinks that just by performing rituals or worship without putting into practice the ideals and teachings therein, one will be able to remove or reduce his sins, then he is utterly wrong. However, as a result of the impact of Brahmanical and other cults and because of laxity to follow ideals, the tendency towards rituals without the least commitments for teachings is growing and has engulfed the very conscience of the majority of Jains. Most Jains these days confine to performing rituals only and think that it is enough to ameliorate their sins. Pseudo saints are also encouraging this. The obvious result is falling moral standards in Jains who now do not enjoy the respect and esteem they had earlier when stress was more on practice than rituals. Meditation:
The concept and practice of meditation in Jainism are different from other schools of meditation. The main difference is that bad thoughts should be avoided and good thoughts should be assimilated and effort should be to control mind for every second, minute, hour, day and night through out life and not for only a specified period of time as prescribed in other systems. There are following four types of thought processes of mind and these are termed Dhyāna i.e. meditation processes in Jainism.