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THE JAINA ATTITUDE
are the spring of violence. To remain attached to sensuous objects is to remain in the whirl.2 Sensuous objects are the root of worldly existence (saṁsāra). The wise should not remain unmindful even for a single moment. The stupid (mandā) and the deluded (mohena pāudā) turn away from the right path, and do not cross on to either side. But those who cross conquer greed by contentment and are not influenced by objects of desire.“ Penance (tavo), restraint of mind (damo) and restrainment or moral observances (niyamo) are not possible for one having attachment to life and property. By nature are we fond of life and have repulsion for suffering. It is not possible to cross the ocean of worldly existence (sarsāra) unless the animal instincts are subdued and destroyed. Perpetrators of cruel acts come to grief. They cannot cross the stream of evils (anohantară) and so cannot cross the samsāra (world), and go to the other shore (atīramgamā). The sense of 'mine' is an evil. One who relinquishes the sense of 'mine' relinquishes also the thing about which one feels that it is 'mine'. And one who does not possess anything regarded as ‘mine' is a sage who has seen the (right) path.'? Property is an evil inasmuch as it cannot be had without causing suffering to others.
The common man is asleep while the ascetic is always awake, suttā amuni munino sayayam jāgaranti. He who knows the nature of the sensuous objects is possessed of self (āyā=ātman), knowledge (nāņa=jñāna), Scripture (veda), Law (dhamma) and Truth (bambha = brahma). The man indeed has many thoughts.9 Anger, pride and greed are his enemies. 'The brave should destroy anger and pride. He should look upon greed as a great hell. The hero, therefore, should desist from killing, should give up the agreeable and should move being lightened (of the burden).'10 The responsibility of fall or rise rests on the man himself. “Man! Thou art thy own friend ;
y wishest thou for a friend beyond thyself? Man! Restrain thyself, and thou shalt be free from sorrow.'11 The freed has destroyed all anger, pride, deceit and greed. This is the doctrine of the Seer.
1 Cf. je pamatte guņaţthie se hu dande pavuccai.--Ibid., I. 1. 4. 2 je gune se āvatte.--Ibid., I. I. 5. 3 je gume se mūlatthāņe.--Ibid., I. 2. I. 4 dhire muhuttam avi no pamayae.--Ibid. 5 Ibid., I. 2. 2. 6 Cf. savve pāņā piyāūya, suha-sāyä, dukkha-padikūlā.
- Ibid., I. 2. 3. ? je mamãiya-maim jahāi, se jahāi mamãiyam se hu ditthapahe muni, jassa natthi mamäiyam.
-Ibid., I. 2. 6. 8 Ibid., I. 3. I.
9 anega-citte khalu ayam purise-Ibid., 1. 3. 2. 10 kohāimāņam haniyā ya vīre, lobhassa päse nirayam mahantam
tamhā hi vīre virao vahão chindejja sāyam lahubhūya-gāmī.-Ibid. 11 Ibid., I. 3. 3.
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