________________
THE REFLECTIONS
imperfect senses (i. e. less than the five senses). Hence birth as a five-sensed being is as rare as gratitude among the good qualities. And even among the five-sensed beings, many belong to the animal world such as the cow, the deer, the bird, the serpent, etc. Hence human birth is as difficult of attainment as a heap of jewels at the crossing of the roads. And if one loses the condition of a human being by negligence, it is as difficult to attain it once again, as it is difficult for a burnt tree to regain its old freshness. Even if human birth is attained, a good country, a good family, keen senses, health, etc. are more and more difficult of attainment. When all these are attained, if true faith is not acquired, human birth becomes useless like the face without vision. And even after attaining this rare true faith, if anyone is immersed in worldly pleasures, it is like burning sandal-wood paste for the sake of ash. Even with renunciation of worldly pleasures, meditation accompanied by austerities, propagation of true faith, and auspicious death are rare. If these are achieved, then the attainment of enlightenment has borne fruit. By contemplating on the difficulty in attaining true faith, one does not become negligent after attaining this rare jewel. (11)
The faith promulgated by Jina is characterized by noninjury, based on truth, with humility as its root, forbearance as its strength, safeguarded by celibacy, dominated by quietism and characterized by restraint and non-attachment as its support. Without attaining it living beings have been wandering in the beginningless mundane existence, undergoing sufferings and misery owing to the rise of inauspicious karmas. If true faith is attained, one is bound to achieve emancipation, after enjoying several kinds of worldly prosperity and distinction. This is contemplating what is stressed in religion. This promotes constant devotion to religion. (12)
249
Thus reflection on transitoriness etc. helps one to practise moral virtues such as forbearance and consequently leads to effective stoppage of karmas. Reflection is mentioned in the middle for the sake of both. He who practises reflection in this way is enabled to practise the moral virtues and also
32
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
