Pristine Jainism : Inaction (Pramad)

It was because of vicissitudes and repercussions from barbarious invasions in medieval period that India's core philosophy of action (Karma) got subdued and pseudo-devotion (Bhakti) became dominant, resulting in slavery for several centuries. Aditirthankar Rishabhdeo even before he attained omniscience guided his people by teaching various professions for livelihood viz., Asi (weaponry), Masi (Writing), Krishi (planting of trees or agricultural crops), Vanijya (business), Vidya (knowledge), Shilp (art). The first of these is weaponry for protection of self, family, country and culture. Without capability to protect, all other things are meaningless. History is replete with gallantry of Jain warriors. Nonviolence does not mean cowardice. We should not attack but should be able to defend if attacked. Violence in defence is permissible for laity (house holders). Jains have long since forgotten this teaching of Aditirthankar and are not capable to protect mothers, sisters, daughters, families and their culture. Though Jainism strictly forbids such pseudo-devotion to any gods and goddesses and emphasises action (good deeds) for coveted gains, yet Jains too fell prey to it. According to Jainism the liberated souls Arhats and Siddhas, who are worshipped, are completely detached (Veetrag) and do not do any good or bad for anyone and it is irrational (Mithyatva) and sin to attribute action to them, beg favours etc. Yet most Jains indulge in this. Many prayers and songs contain stanzas attributing action and begging material favours from idols of Arhats and Siddhas. It appears Jains have lost faith in teachings of Tirthankaras, the action-reaction, cause and effect principle (Karma Siddhanta) which clearly states that no one can do good or bad to anyone except being catalyst (Nimitta) when good or bad deeds fruitify. Even idols of other gods and goddesses like Kshetrapal, Padmavati, Bhawani, Kali are worshiped by Jains with more fervour than for Jain idols. More and more Jains are indulging in irrational and superstitious beliefs and rituals, relying more on astrologers, mantra-tantra than on preachings of Arhats. If principle of Karma as propounded by Tirthankaras is true then mantra-tantra and astrology have no relevance.