Study of Jainism

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 70

Other Tirthankaras
later included by Mahdvira. The environmental circumstances, like, the laxity in general behaviour and also in the Sangha, must have caused Mahavira, to include the fifth injuction for the sake of maintaining the social health and the discipline in the sangha. It is said in the Mülácara (7.36–38) that tirthankaras prior to Mahavira also preached the need of samdyika and saṁyama. Mahavira brought about certain modifications in the practice of these codes of conduct.70
One should worship the images of tirthankaras and that of Parsva not because of any hope that the great beings might assist a worshipper, but as ideals one has to keep infront of one's mind. The tirthankaras have passed beyond thegodly governors of natural order. Jainism is not atheistic, it is transtheistic. 71
REFERENCES :
1. Kalghatgi (TG) Presidential Address (History of Philosophy
Section ; 43rd session of the Indian Philosophical Congress 1968, Patna) pp. 7.
2. Rgveda : a. 1, 14, 89, 6
b. 1, 24, 180, 10 c. 3, 4, 53, 17
d 10, 12, 178, 1 3. Chandogya Upanişad: 3, 17, 4 “Atah yat tapodānamärjava mahińså satyavacanamitita
asya dakşina” I
4. Bhagavati sūtra : 1,1
5. Radhakrishnan (S): Indian Philosophy Vol. I (Allen Unwin)
pp. 287.
6. Mahabharata : S'anti parva 288, 5, 6.