Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 417

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. VII
This represents the whole attitude of the introverts towards the mundane world of materialism. They reveal the Sramanic outlook on life on which detachment to the world (vītarāgatā) is based and thus they arouse a feeling of non-attachment towards life. In one word they are the basis of the Sramanic philosophy.
The pessimistic attitude towards the world has been shared almost by all systems of Indian philosophy and its intense mani. festation is expressed in Sankchya-Yoga and Buddhism.
The four noble truths (catvāri Ārya-Satyāni), “Life is full of suffering, there is a cause of this suffering. it is possible to stop suffering and there is a path which leads to the cessation of suffering" formed the basis of Buddhism (Duḥkha, duḥkhasamudaya, duh kha-nirodha f duhkhanirodha-mārga).
What appear as pleasures are fraught with pain, "birth, old age, disease, death, sorrow, grief, wish, despair, in short all that is born of attachment is misery".?
Like Buddhism, Sankhya and Yoga embody the principle 'all experience is sorrowful' ; Tamas is the representation of the pain-substance. As it exists in all combinations in some degree, all intellectual operations are fraught with some amount of painful experience. Even the state of temporary pleasure is accompanied by sorrow at the previous moment of its solicitation and at the time of its enjoyment lest it may be lost. So the amount of sorrow is thus much more than that of pleasures which only strengthen the holds of sorrow.S Rajas' is also the cause of all painful experiences of life, being itself of the nature of pain (duḥkha)".
1 Digha-Nikāya Sutta-22 (Warren-p. 368). ? A History of Indian Philosophy, Vol. 1, p. 75-76, Dr. S, N.
Dasgupta. 3 Tativavaisäradi and Yoga Värttika-II, 15; & Tattvakaumudi.
Vide History of Indian Philosophy Dr. S. N. Dasgupta,
p. 264. 4 Introduction to Indian Philosophy, p. 301, Dr. Datta &
Chatterjee,