Sannyasa Dharma

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

Page 14

Askesis, the term which was in use for bolily training, was also employed to denote this special discipline of the philosopher who aimed at the voluntary repression of desire. But the emphasis in asceticism is not on mere bodily hardships.
"The true ascetic is he wliv disciplines himself against all the suga
gestions of evil desire." (Ibid, 149).
Abstinence from marriage and animal food was urged and practised as counsels of perfection (Ibid. 155). It was also distinctly recognised that the result of the practice of philosophy was happiness (Ibid. 153). If a temptation come in a man's way it inust be resisted. He should then say to himself :
"Wait poor soul; do not straightway be carried off your feet by it;
consider the contest is great, the task is divine; it is for kingship,
t'or freedom, for calm, for undisturbedness." (Ibid. 149 )
The words ' for kingship, for freedom, for calin, for undisturbedness' in this quotation are clear enough, ineaning, as they do, divino perfection and freedom and joy, as taught by Religion,
In the Bible also it is said (Leviticus, xx. 7) :
be ye holy; for I am the Lord,
"Sanctify yourselves therefore, au
your God."
Man must raise bimself to correspond to the type of his ideal. Hence it is stated clearly in an earlier passage in Leviticus (xix. 2) :
"Speak uuto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say
unto them: Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God anı holy."
The injunctiou is repeated in the New Testament, 1 Peter (chap. i. 16) records :
"Because it is written, bc ye holy for I am holy,
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