________________
198 : Śramaņa, Vol 57, No. 3-4/July-December 2006
in this process, as we are all interdependent. Aristotle also wrote, "One who is unable to live in society or who has no need of society, it means he is sufficient in himself and must be either beast or God." So, one who completely understand it, he does categorically shoulder his responsibility for the world. This interdependence reveals also that in the empirical world dominated by the intellect everything is relative, conditional, subject to birth and death and therefore impermanent. We are to bring out the logical implication of Buddha's saying from a moral point of view. We cannot frame a universal law in which if we do wrong or misconduct to others then the same would be forwarded to us also.
The Buddhist can take upon himself certain obligations or resolve to keep certain percents. This possesses the quality of humanity (Vinaya), moral character (Śīla), Forgiveness (Kşamā), Compassion (Karuņā), Charity (Dāna), Renunciation (Vairāgya), . Non-enmity (Avaira).
Accordingly, Buddha prescribed the eight-fold path, that includes (1) Right view (Samyk-ditthi), (2) Right-resolve (Samyak-sankalpa), (3) Right-speech (Samyak-vāk), (4) Rightconduct (Samyak-karmānta), (5) Right-livelihood (Samyak-ājīva), (6) Right-effort (Samyak-vyāyāma), (7) Right-mindfulness (Samyak-smrti), (8) Right-concentration (Samyak-samādhi).
This is open to the clergy and the laity alike. Right knowledge is the knowledge of 'Four Arya Truths' and Right resolve means not only to abandon ill-feeling towards others, but also renounce the tendency of committing injurious acts. Right speech is recommended, because some time words are more distressing than swords. This steps requires to restrain ourselves from falsehood, backbiting, harsh language and frivolous talk. Hence to maintain peace in inter-personal relations. Right conduct consist in renouncing of injury, stealing and sexual gratification. Buddhism instructs to adopt moral conduct at every level domestic, social, national and
international. Right-livelihood implies the earning by honest means Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
