Book Title: Religion and Philosophy of the Jainas
Author(s): Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Jain International Ahmedabad

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Page 207
________________ 174 RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE JAINAS cause or reason: not by force but by persuasively getting the person to part with his property. Shop people do this when they induce purchasers to buy goods. In theft this consent of the owner is not obtained, in theft the money is taken against the owner's will. (d) Māna [pride] here has a special meaning; it means the non-acceptance of the teachings of persons who are actively engaged in attaining the state of liberation, and this nonacceptance comes on account of obstinacy. You think "I know just as well as he does" and you reject the teaching, without testing or examining it. (e) Mada: This is pride or boasting about one's family, ancestors, etc., about one's strength or physical power, about one's greatness - a Lord might think himself a great person—, about one's beauty or handsomeness, or about one's learning. This pride is liable to become the cause of hurting others if it makes him look down upon others and think that, being a superior being, he has the right to tyrannize. (f) Harṣa literally means pleasure, but here it means in a technical sense giving pleasure to the mind by causing unnecessary pain to others, or by engaging in gambling, hunting, shooting, etc. 6. The layman who wishes to take the first step towards spiritual progress should avoid or abandon places of difficulties and dangers.For instance, a place of battle, or where plague or famine is, or where there is ill-feeling towards him from the people around him. (This is for the beginner). The reason is that if he stays in such places, he will not be able to accomplish what he wishes to accomplish. 7. He should live in a State or country where he will have adequate protection of his life and property by the rulers. If he lives where crimes go on unpunished, he is liable to be disturbed. 8. The layman should get the company of gentle people who appreciate good, whose actions are right, whose conduct is of the right kind, and who are always partial for virtue, and whom he considers examples to be followed. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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