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THE WAY OF LIFE
The speciality of the utterances of Jin is this. They are based on multiple-vision. Therefore, the words of the Jin are great. We can see in the doctrines of Bhagwan Mahavir, concordance and consistency. Therefore it is said, “The Jain philosophy is victorious". It is victorious because of its multiple-vision.
THEORIES ARE ACCEPTABLE IF THEY HAVE CONCORDANCE
The statements of Jins are acceptable for this reason. Dharma means carrying on spiritual activities in accordance with the doctrines of the Jin. Whatever the spiritual activities you perform, if they accord with the doctrines of the Jins, they constitute Dharma. This is the practical aspect of Dharma. Here, there is the need for some caution. Those activities that you perform should not be performed unsystematically or according to your own ideas but they have to be performed in accordance with the prescribed rules and principles. They are to be performed in accordance with the prescriptions found in the words of Jin.
The great Acharya while describing the true form of dharma says, "Dharma means performing spiritual activities in accordance with the prescriptions found in the theories expounded by Jin which are free from contradictions and inconsistencies". The hearts of people who perform their spiritual activities with the four lofty emotions namely amity, compassion, love and neutrality with respect to unrighteous people, bloom and flourish with tender sprouts of peace and joy.
Whatever the spiritual activity you perform, it must be performed according to the words and commands of the Jins. You have to carry out those activities in the manner that has been prescribed and described by the Jin. You must carefully think of these questions before you perform any activity. For every austerity, enlightened people have given guidance.
What spiritual activity should be performed ? Where should it be performed ? When should it be performed ? and with what substances and aids should it be carried out and with what kind of emotion and attitude should it be performed ?
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