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१०२ :
श्रमण/अक्टूबर-दिसम्बर/१९९६
Aim of Human Life
Lord Mahāvīra says, "Dharma (righteousness) is supremely auspicious. Non-violence, self-restraint and austerity are its essentials. Even the celestials revere him who is rooted in Dharma".!
The aim of human life is to achieve Nirvāṇa or liberation. How to achieve this? Ācārya Umāswāti says that it can be achieved by right faith, right knowledge and right conduct together.”
Jainism takes an integral view of life. Only faith or knowledge or conduct alone cannot take us to the path of Nirvāṇa. Without right faith, there cannot be right knowledge, without right knowledge, there cannot be right conduct and without right conduct man can never achieve Nirvāņa or emancipation. Conduct of a Monk and a Householder
Jaina texts describe the conduct expected from a monk as well as a householder, elaborately. A monk is expected to follow five great vows (Mahāvratas), while a householder five primary or minor vows (Aņuvratas). Abstinence from violence, falsehood, stealing, carnality and possessiveness are the vows. Violence, falsehood and the like, influence behaviour so deeply that they are seen as entrenched habits which require vows to root out. Non-violence is mentioned first, because it is the principal vow, the basis of all other vows. Just as a fence is meant to protect a field, the last four vows are meant to protect the primary vow of non-violence. A vow is a self-imposed obligation as to what one ought to do and what not. It must be practiced in thought, word and deed with full commitment of its careful observance and at all times. Vows may generate the positive activities which result in beneficial karmas as Lord Mahāvīra said that the result of good karmas is beneficial and that of evil karmas is harmful. The Principle of Non-violence
The rationale behind the principle of non-violence is the equality of all living beings. Lord Mahāvīra said. "Not to kill any Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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