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FUNDAMENTALS OF THE JAINA CODE OF CONDUCT
To arrive at a correct understanding and estimate of the Jaina ethical principles, it is necessary, first of all, to get an idea of the same in the Vedas and Buddhist works. It is difficult, otherwise, to assess the real role played by the Jaina code of conduct. A major part of the individual's conduct depends on the society. It does not appear that the Jaina society or Sangha has ever remained isolated. It has always maintained its existence in the midst of Vedic Society and in the intervening period it has done so along with the Buddhist Sangha. When the situation is like this, a key to properly evaluate the Jaina ethical principles lies not only in the Jaina scriptures but in the comparative study of the Vedic and Buddhistic codes also. It is, therefore, consistent and proper to discuss about the Jaina Code of conduct after a brief reference to the Vedic Code of conduct and also to the Buddhistic.
The Sources of the Vedic Code of Conduct
Vedas are the source of Vedic traditions; therefore the earliest source of the Vedic Code of conduct is the Śrutis or the Vedas. Now, even if the Vedas are revelations or composed by God, they are just in the form of commandments in which logic has no place. It is not necessary to go into details regarding why an individual should behave in a particular manner and why he should not. Merely that is sufficient that it is propounded by the Vedas.
In addition to Vedas, the Smrtis also are an authority in respect of Code of conduct. The reason why it is so is to be found in the fact that the Vedas are the original source of the Smrtis. In the case of the Code of conduct the roots of which did not lie in the available Vedas, it was argued that they did lie in the Vedas but that part of the Vedas is at present extinct. Thus, it is believed that the Smrtis have supported the Code of conduct as formulated in the Vedas, though really speaking, there are so many rules of conduct in the Smrtis which are not only not found in the Vedas but are opposed to those which are enunciated in
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