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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

The three jewels of Jainism

 

CHENNAI, DEC. 23. Every inexplicable event in the life of an

individual occurs due to his actions in his previous birth. These

past deeds of his - whether good or bad - have their effect, the

former fetching merits and the latter yielding punishments. This

process of action and reaction is believed to be the source of

prosperity and misery. Man is hence said to be the architect of

his own destiny and he can rise only by his efforts or remain

fallen by his misdeeds. This theory has been accepted by almost

all religions. A significant achievement of one of the greatest

leaders of the revolution on the spiritual field was the

upholding of this concept in place of God, the Creator who, he

said, was devoid of attachment and hence there was no need for

Him to create this universe, which was beginningless and endless.

That was Mahavira who propagated Jainism, which, took an integral

view of life.

 

Either faith or only knowledge, by itself, cannot take men to

salvation. They should have the right type of faith, right

knowledge and impeccable conduct to tread the path of salvation,

Mahavira said. These constitute the three jewels of Jainism.

According to him, by knowledge, one understands the nature of

substances; by faith, one believes in them, by right conduct one

puts an end to the flow of actions and by austerity, one develops

purity. In this living religion, there are numerous monks and

nuns and nearly ten million lay devotees, continuing its

tradition. Some critics held the view that the principles of

Jainism are so difficult that they cannot be practised by

ordinary people. This is a fallacy, said Sri Dulichand Jain, in a

lecture explaining how Lord Mahavira's teachings are grouped into

two parts - for mendicants and for householders.

 

Those who opted for the path of total renunciation have to

practise very rigorous restraints and adopt the five vows of

total abstinence from violence, falsehood, stealing, moral

uprightness and of worldly possessions. For men amidst family

life the instructions were simple. Jain Acharyas have presented

the duties and responsibilities of the laity, called the 35

virtues. These rules prevent a lay follower deviating from the

spiritual path, prompting him to rise higher and by it, get the

proper attitude of living. One of the Acharyas has classified the

directives into four groups - obligatory duties, derogations

which ought to be discarded; virtues to be cultivated and

endeavours to be carried out with diligence.

 

In day-to-day life, a householder should maintain equanimity, pay

obeisance to the 24 Thirtankaras, offer salutations to monks, do

contemplation and introspection and resort to meditation so as to

keep the mind under control.

 

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