________________
210 RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE JAINAS name means evils or bad effects and the last two words mean undertaking to refrain from.
So this eighth vow is an undertaking not to incur unnecessary evils.
We bring unnecessary evils upon ourselves to no purpose, by indulging in thoughts, words, and deeds in which there is no benefit to society, to our friends,or to ourselves.
A layman cannot avoid the evils entailed by his necessary pursuits; but he can undertake to avoid the evils entailed by unnecessary pursuits and activities such as thinking about, speaking about, or otherwise busying himself with matters that do not concem him or in which there is no benefit.
The following are some of the ways in which we do things in which there is no benefit :
Constantly fearing the loss of any of the good things we have - wealth, friends, health,
Constantly fearing that bad things which we are at present without, may come upon us — pain, poverty, disease.
Undue anxiety to get rid of disease, poverty, etc., when once they are upon us.
Undue anxiety for the future craving for the enjoyment of happiness expected to come in the future.
Being glad at having killed something or somebody, or approving of others who have done so.
Speaking ill of or misrepresenting others, and boasting about
Desiring the death of someone in order to inherit his or her property, or cheating people and boasting about it.
Distrusting or wishing the death of others for the sake of the safety of our own property.
Giving gratuitous advice about matters that are no concem of ours.
Lending dangerous weapons gratuitously, like guns; or implements which in their use destroy life; fishing tackle, garden tools.
Sheer carelessness of thought, word and action such as
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
