S.M. Jain
Jainism prescribes the code of conduct, which is beneficial for one who practices and also for other living organisms. It is so rationality designed that even the inanimate constituents of nature are so cautiously utilised that their conservation is not adversely affected as the quantity used is proportional to their natural regeneration. If human beings who are in highest commanding position at the top of pyramid in hierarchy of living beings, follow the Jain Code of conduct, there will be perfect peace and harmony and even cyclic changes of retrogression or progression would stop. In the canonical treatise "Tiloypannati", by Yati Vrishabhacharya it is illustrated that there are areas Harivar, Hemvat etc. where time stands still and there are no retrogratory changes because people there follow rational and symbiotic Jain code of conduct.
There are elaborate conduct rules both for saints and laity (house holders) so meticulously framed that no laxity or transgressions are permissible. There are basic fundamental rules which every Jain must follow. Then more and more rigorous practices are to be followed as one advances on the path of salvation. There are eleven stages for house holders to climb the ladder step by step according to one's capabilities. However, fundamental rules and vows are common at all stages and there is difference of degree and not of kind. Jainism stands unique amongst all religions that the conduct rules are clearly well defined covering every aspect in life. There is no such meticulously well-defined elaborate code of conduct in any other religion. Till recently Jains were known for their adherence to prescribed conduct taking meals before sunset and using water only after proper filtering, strict vegetarianism and not taking even honey, abstention from wine, any sort of violence, gambling, adultery, falsehood, theft, consumerism were the very identity of Jains. Putting ideals into actual practice in thought, speech and action is hallmark of Jainism.
Gautam, principal disciple of Tirthanker Mahaveer asked the following question:
कहं चरे, कहं चिट्टे, कहं आसे, कहं सए,
कहं भुजंतो, भावं-पावं कमं न बंधई?
(How to walk, stay, eat, speak, sleep so that soul is not guilty of sins)
Mahaveer Swami replied,
जयं चरे, जयं चिट्टे, जयं आसे, जयं सए, जयं भुजंतो भावं पावं न बंधई।
(Walk, stay, eat, speak, sleep carefully and cautiously and soul will not be guilty of sin)
जयं stands for जयणां i.e. यलपूर्वक meaning care and caution. भजयणेह धम्मं जणणी i.e. care and caution is mother of religion. प्रमाद i.e. carelessness and laziness are opposite of this. In case one walks or removes things carelessly and even if no creature is harmed, he is guilty of violence. On the contrary if one acts carefully and if creatures are harmed his guilt is minimised.
प्रमत्त योगात प्राणव्यपरोपणं हिंसा
(Tattvartha Sutra 7-13)
(Carelessness in thought, speech and action is responsible for violence).
Tirthanker Mahaveer cautioned, "Do not be careless and lazy even for a moment." This is the core of entire code of conduct which if followed and practised in letter and spirit will safeguard from most adverse consequences. Let us look at a simple example of anyone slipping on wet, oily or any slippery surface and fracturing one's bones. This would not happen if one is careful in examining the surface and then avoiding it or waking with adequate caution. Sometimes one carelessly utters words which annoy the listeners and consequences may be bad resulting in enmity and even fatal feuds. Likewise careless and evil thoughts will result in bad action and even without action, will pollute mind, manifesting in depressive, aggressive, sadistic, schizophrenic attitudes and mental illness.
In Jainism there is so much emphasis on practice that most rituals, devotional formalities are redundant and irrelevant. The only objective of worship etc. is that it helps to recollect the teachings of enlightened ones (Arhats), take inspiration, concentrate, reflect and vow to practice. If this objective is not kept in mind then these lose all their importance. If rituals are for ritual's sake, then they are of no use. If one thinks that just by performing rituals or worship without putting into practice the ideals and teachings therein, one will be able to remove or reduce his sins, then he is utterly wrong. However, as a result of the impact of brahminical and other cults and because of laxity to follow ideals, the tendency towards rituals without the least commitments for teachings is growing and has engulfed the very conscience of the majority of Jains. Most Jains these days confine to performing rituals only and think that it is enough to ameliorate their sins. Pseudo saints are also encouraging this. The obvious result is falling moral standards in Jains who now do not enjoy the respect and esteem they had earlier when stress was more on practice than rituals.
