Spiritual Awakening and other Essays

Author(s): Kamalchand Sogani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 144

towards the needy21. Besides, the virtuous practise forgiveness22, straight forwardness22, humbleness22, egolessness22, non-acquisitivenes23, self control etc. Such persons should be treated respectfully, so much so that they may not feel hurt in society.24
(3) The third thing which the Jinist may call the good is knowledge. In other words, the experience of knowledge in tune with ahiṁsā is the good. It is significant to acquire and give to others knowledge of facts and values. The Puruşārthasiddhyupāya tells us that efforts should be made to have knowledge of objects in the multiple aspects. (Kartavyo'dhyavasayah sadanekantatmakesu tattvasu25) Again, it says that let there be endeavour to acquire knowledge of words and their meaning at proper time and with proper zeal.26 It may be noted that since knowledge is liable to be misused the Puruşarthasiddhyupaya advises us to acquire knowledge only after having cultivated right attitude (Iñānāradhānamistham samyakuvanantaraṁ27) and right attitude is the ahiṁsā attitude. In a similar vein the Samaņasuttam tells us that vast knowledge without right attitude is of no use.
(4) The fourth thing that can be called the good or intrinsically good according to the Jinist is pleasure. But all pleasures are not of equal value, only that pleasure which is in tune with ahimsā is the good. Ross rightly remarks28, a state of pleasure has the property, not necessarily of being good, but of being something that is good.' Thus there is no doubt that there are bad pleasures. The Jinist recognises four types of bad pleasures which are to be avoided. They are known as Rudra Dhyānas, namely, to feel pleasure in killing (hiṁsānandi), to feel pleasure in cheating (Mrşānandi), to feel pleasure in stealing (Couryānandi) and to feel pleasure in sexual indulgence (viṣayānandi).
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