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THE SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATIONS OF JAINISM
others are not placed at risk. A person who believes, and can put into practice, this concept should be able to pass the British test. However, subsequent improvement may take place in order to become an advanced motorist, rather like the path of the monk.
Stages 5 and 6 involve the attainment of full restraint, that is, although in control of the car, one must nevertheless avoid accelerating quickly, braking hard, or flashing lights/hooting unnecessarily. Figure 8.3. shows the manifestation of the Four Passions in a driver. The Three Restraints mean a progressive curbing of the activities of the body, mind and speech so that one acts instinctively, without conscious thought. Stage 7 is the achievement of Watchfulness, i.e. using mirrors, indicators, lights, etc when necessary so that no other user is made anxious by one's bad driving, even though an accident would have been unlikely. Also, one is alert at every moment so that enough time is allowed to take corrective action on the bad driving of others, etc. Stages 8 to 12 involve the reduction and elimination of passions in driving. These are the most difficult faults to remove and involve feelings such as impatience in a long traffic jam, and uneasiness when being repeatedly overtaken, even though driving at just below the maximum legal speed. These passions may smoulder and only arise occasionally, since they are usually kept in check. At stage 13, one has reached the position of causing the minimum possible danger on the road. Stage 14 is the beginning of the cessation of activity which means that one sees that doing without a car altogether eliminates this contribution to danger. Note that none of these activities takes place whilst the car is stationary with the engine not running, i.e. there is no yoga. It should be remembered that this is a less than perfect analogy.
We can also illustrate the use of the Five Watchfulnesses through this same analogy. The first Watchfulness is rather like driving so as not to hit birds, rabbits, etc on the road. The second is similar to reducing conversation in the car to decrease distractions. The third can be likened to not drinking and driving, thereby retaining full concentration. The fourth is like looking around the car before starting and choosing a parking space carefully so that no child or aniinal is hit. The last Watchfulness is the avoidance of running the car engine in a confined space where people may be affected by the exhaust fumes.
8.8. GLOSSARY
1.
Eight qualities of the True Insight ( / Astānga) Freedom from doubt=Nihsam kita
