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The Unknown Pilgrims
Chapter 1 appears to be an address to an arhat, and verse 9 mentions - without naming them - the eight characteristics of a being who is worthy of veneration; the mind here goes to the siddhas.
Chapter 3 deals with the greatness of the ascetics and sages: v. 30 emphasises the respect in which the ascetics hold all living beings.
Chapter 4 is on purity of intention, equanimity, detachment from all passions.
Chapter 13 is concerned with the virtue of self-control.
Chapters 26 and 33 constitute together a plea for respect for all life, abstention from animal-slaughter, vegetarian diet. In v. 323 the two primordial principles, namely, respect for all life and freedom from falsehood are set forth.
Chapter 27 treats of the value of austerities, especially those of endurance, tolerance and kindliness.
Chapter 30 deals with the capital importance of vāymai, veracity.
Chapters 35 and 37 are on radical detachment, liberation from all forms of egoism and possessiveness, in the positive sense of Realisation of one's true self in this life and in prospect of eternal Happiness.
Chapter 36 is on right and enlightened knowledge, on wisdom.
These few references, though suggestive of Jaina inspiration, do not constitute definite proof of it. Furthermore, many of its other ideas have nothing specifically Jaina about them and could belong to any dharma. The Tirukkural is not a doctrinal and religious treatise and one thing is certain, namely, that one finds there no trace of the radical asceticism demanded by the Agamas and other works; on the contrary, family life is praised and is even said to be better than the ascetic state. 277 What is remarkable is, precisely, the tendency,
277 Cf. e.g. ch. 5, vs. 47-50.
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