________________
Tirthankara Vardhamana Mahavira
91
EPILOGUE-1
As a prologue to the discussion of the Jaina philosophy and ethics, we may here mention a few verses expressing the fundamental teachings of Lord Mahavira in his sermons in the Samavasarana. It is Mahavira vaņi.
1.
Dharma : Dharma may be rendered not as religion in the traditional sense, nor as mere piety. It is excellence of the spirit, and not mere animal excellence.
Dhammo mangalamukkiţtham ahiṁsā sanjamo tavo I Devā vi tar namaisanti jassa dhamme saya māno II
Dasavaik alika 1, 1.
One who is steeped in righteousness and has the moral and spiritual excellence practising non-violence, self-control and tapas (self-discipline, both physical and mental), to him even the Gods bow down in reverence. The Jainas advocate self-effort for the sake of self-realisation. No grace of God of any form is possible nor necessary.
2. Ege dhamma padimā, jaṁ se aya pajjavajae I
Sthana nga : 1, 1, 40.
Purification of the self is possible only through righteousness And,
3. Sāmāyam mūdhe dhammam nābhijanai I
Acdranga : 3,1
One who indulges in the pleasures of the senses will not be able to grasp the importance of self-realisation, of righteousness. Therefore,
4. Ekko hu dhammo, naradeva, tanom, na vijjai annamihei kinci I
Uttaradhyayana 14, 40.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
