Spiritual Discipline and Practices in Jainism

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain
Publisher: Z_Vijyanandsuri_Swargarohan_Shatabdi_Granth_012023.pdf

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and practices gradually.
2. VRATA PRATIMA (The stage of observing vows)
In order to prepare himself for the ascetic life the house- holder goes ahead to observe the twelve vows (five anuvratas, three gunavratas and four siksavratas) for obtaining inner purity of the self. Firm conviction with right understanding in the reality of fundamental principles of Jainism generates benevolence towards all living beings, (maitri), joy at the sight of virtuous (pramoda), compassion and sympathy for afflicted (karunya), and tolerence towards the insolent and ill-behaved (madhsthya). He who conducts himself in this manner is able to practise non- violence, truth, non stealing, refraining from all illicit sexual activities and non-possession to perfection.
Non-Violence
Non-violence is the fundamental principle of Jainism. It rebuffs all complaints and humiliations made by small and big, if followed seriously. Its instinct percolates into the heart of a right ascetic and leads him to humanity by leaps and bounds. Here violence means severance of vitalities out of passion. Negligence is the main cause of violence. Even violence in thought in view of Jainism is a cause of injury. Dasavaikalika says that one who walks, stands, sits, sleeps, eats, and speaks with vigilance and non-violence, no sin accrues to him. The Acaranga discusses the cause of violance with the statement that a stupefied person lives constantly tormented by avidity he endevours to amass wcalth in season and out of season being desirous of sensual pleasures, he is avid for money, so much so that he becomes out and out a rogue committing theft or robbery. His mind is always engrossed in amassing wealth. Such a man repeatedly becomes a killer of living beings. He amasses physical power, power of kith and kin, power of allies, super mundane-power, deity-power, royal power, thief-power, guest-power, pauper-power, ascetic power. To accomplish these various tasks, he uses violence. Some person uses violence of his own accord and some other person does so out of fear. Considering that performance of sacrifices results in atonement of his sins, some person takes recourse to violence, and some other commits violence in the hope of obtaining the uhobtained.
In the opinion of Jainacaryas avoidance of external violence is as necessary as the avoidance of feelings of attachment. Violence is mainly Shri Vijyanand Suri Swargarohan Shatabdi Granth
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