Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

Author(s): B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 39

24
Studies in Jainology, Prakrit
in Jainism, I would just quote what Bhadrabhahu-tl (C.505 A.D.) has stated in his pithy-style in the Acaranga Niryukli (gahā No. 245):
Logassa säram dhammo Dhammampi nānasariyam bimui Nanam sanjama-sāram Samjama-sāran nivvānam “The (rea!) excellence of the world is dharma; and dharma is said 10 be the outcome of knowledge. Knowledge is the epitome of self-restraint; and the quintessence of self-restraint (ultimately) is perfection, bliss or cmancipation.”
To recapitulate and conclude, Samyama (self- restraint) is concupied, along with its wide scope and noble objectives, is one of the most significand human qualities or virlues in Jainism. It appears like a strong and perennial under- current of the marathon stream of the Jaina Doctrine (Jain Siddhanta) is a whole, more particularly of its unique tribulary viz., ils Ethical Discipline - Ācāradharma Iis the day to day life of the Jaina Community, comprising ascetics, nuns, pious laymen and layw'omen, Samyama is enjoined to be an indispensable accessory virtue that would aid, guide, regulate, consolidate and strengthen their various vows or rules of conduct ind, thus, help to build the super structure of an idcal individual and social morality, so as to lead to ones perfection and bliss. Grasping at least the essentials of all this, if man, in general, cultivates and practises genuine sell- restraint to an optimum degree on the various planes of his lifo - moral, social, cconomic, political, ccological clc., he could no doubt make the present sick world a better place to live in.