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Appendix XXV
Five Vows observed by Jains
A stream of knowledge has been incessantly flowing in India since time immemorial and credit for this goes to saints and seers, who have guided and inspired mankind to tread the sublime path of righteousness in order to realise “Truth”. Jainism is one of the oldest religious traditions of the world. Lord Mahāvīra, the 24" Tīrthankara was the propounder (not the founder) who attained omniscience by practising rigorous austerities, penance, non-violence and compassion. His preachings (2500 years ago) are relevant even today and have special significance for mankind's spiritual advancement. His message is full of pragmatic optimism, self-reliance, and self-discipline to develop the inherent and infinite potentialities of an individual.
Jaina society celebrates from today an annual “selfpurification ceremony” called “Paryūṣaṇa Parva' for eight days, during which programmes such as prayers, meditation, fasting, study of scriptures and lectures are conducted. The discourses, which Jains will attend, include one on “right faith”. Belief in the existence of six factors (soul, non-soul, medium of motion, medium of rest, space and time) is reckoned as correct faith. By knowledge one can understand the nature of substances. Along with these two, practice of austerity fetches perfect conduct. The three constitute the pathway to liberation. Desired result is attained when there is harmony between right type of knowledge and right conduct, for a chariot does not move by one wheel alone.
* The Hindu, 26 August 2000
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