Acharya Tulsi has prescribed a life style for a modern man in which all these vows have been explained in the most fundamental way. This life style is not only useful for Jain lay-followers but for all. There are nine guiding principles of this life style.
- Equality:
One who follows this life-style will accept the guiding principle of equality. He has the same attitude in his mind towards all living beings. He will not discriminate on the basis of cast, colour, creed and country. According to Lord Mahavira caste is created by the society and so he gave the opportunity to practice religion to all human beings. Lord Mahavira said 'No hine no airitte' i.e. no one is high or low. Therefore all were allowed to take initiation. Even Harikeshi, a person who belonged to the untouchable community could be initiated.
- Tranquility:
A lay-follower must practice tranquility. They should always try to keep calm in both favourable and adverse circumstances. Lay-followers live in a family, where there are differences in nature and habits. People have different likes and dislikes, so there is a chance of quarreling, but one who adopts this guiding principle of tranquility will not lose his temper.
- Exertion:
A person who is idle or does not do his own work independently becomes dependent on others, lazy, and loses his own power. Jainism believes in the doctrine of self-exertion. As far as the life of the monk is concerned, he leads an independent life. The laity should do their own work. They should not dependent on others.
These days, the exploitation of workers has also become a great problem. Some industrialists and capitalists exploit their workers. They are paid poor wages for their work, this is a kind of violence. A person who believes in exertion should make best use of his potentials but should not exploit others.
In some countries, people do their own work themselves. They don't feel shy in doing this. In other countries, a person who does his work by himself is considered a poor person, or of lower status. But one should always understand the dignity of work.
- Non-violence/Fearlessness:
People consider the concept of non-violence as only applying to the idea that we should not kill living beings. But in reality it is a very broad term, and has a very wide application in our lives.
Compassion and fearlessness are the qualities of a nonviolent person. Some people think that those who observe non-violence are cowards, but as a matter of fact, one who wants to practice non-violence needs to be fearless to apply this principle. This creates a feeling of detachment from the body. In Jain scriptures we find an example of a rich man called Sudarshana. He practiced non-violence with fearlessness.
At the time of Lord Mahavira there was a wide spread terror of Arjunmali, who was a gardener but famous for robbery. He used to kill seven people every day. All the villagers were afraid of him. People started leaving the village to escape from him. Once Lord Mahavira came to that place but nobody dared to visit him. It was only Sudarshan who took the path where Arjunmali lived to meet the Lord. At a distance he saw the robber, still he had no fear in him. When Sudarshana saw him coming nearer, he began to recite namaskar-mahamantra (a powerful Jain mantra) and adopted the posture of Kayotsarga (A posture of meditation). Now there was no fear in him. When Arjunmali came nearer his mind suddenly changed and he went away without harming Sudarshana. Many such events are found in Jain scriptures. Non-violence can be practiced with the development of fearlessness. To acquire this virtue one should practice contemplation of fearlessness.
A person who observes this principle will never commit suicide out of anger, fear and passion. Some people think that anashana (fasting until death) is a sort of suicide. But it is not so. It is not enacted out of fear, or kind of pressure, but it is undertaken for the purification of the soul. To observe this vow is a courageous deed whereas suicide is committed under emotional pressure.
One will also not perpetrate murder, and will not kill innocent living beings as a result of pleasure-seeking and carelessness, and will never abort the foetus. This is a one of the most cruel acts. A Jain follower will not indulge in such sinful acts.
He will try to save himself from unnecessary violence. He will never engage in business in which violence is committed, and will not have any shares in any armaments or weapons business. Mutual respect, empathy and tolerance towards each other should be practiced by all human beings.
- Control or limit to desires:
The principle of non-possession has been given more importance than that of non-violence, but many people do not know about it. They consider non-violence as the fundamental principle of Jainism because it has been preached from time immemorial that 'ahinsaparamo dharm' i.e. non-violence is the highest form of religion. When we read our scriptures, though, we find that non-possession is more important than non-violence. A person perpetrates violence due to their posessiveness. Possession is the basic requirement of life, and the need for more possessions leads people to indulge in violence. The main cause of violence therefore, is possession. Greed for money, land and acquiring more belongings causes violence. So it can be said, non-violence is secondary, whereas non-possession is the main principle of Jain philosophy.
So far as the life of a Jain ascetic is concerned he has no possessions. He has given up all his property and belongings. In the case of a lay-follower it is not possible, but he should limit his possessions. One cannot renounce all property but should accumulate wealth, land and property in limit without any limit leads to discontent, greed and unhappiness.
The more you get the more you want. In uttradhyayan sutra it is said 'Jaha laho taha loho laha loho pavaddhai'. A person who possess one car, after some days, having accumulated more money, thinks about purchasing another car for his wife or for his children. There is no end to these desires.
In jain literature, it is mentioned that many Jain lay-followers were very rich but had limitations in their life. Despite having immense funds, they consumed limited things in their daily life. They put on limited clothes, they eat limited items, had limited belongings, and are also aware of their religious duties.
We can also think about this principle from the ecological view point. Pollution is increasing day by day. Each and everything is polluted today. People need more things so more industries are required. The more the industries, the more the pollution. If we want to avoid this danger we need to control our desires. Controlled or limited desires, limited violence and limited action lead a person to a happy life.
- Purity of food and addiction:
The increase of violence is due to cruelty. According to psychology, when a person slaughters he becomes cruel and no less than a beast. He does not have pity towards animals. Even small children end up imitating this cruelty by killing.
Indian culture taught the lesson of compassion to the entire human race. There should be discrimination regarding the food we choose to eat. Animals do not have the power of discrimination. They only fulfill their hunger. They do not think that this food is good for health or it is harmful. It is only human beings who can use this power of discrimination. Indian culture has always asserted that vegetarian food is more beneficial for human being from various points of view—
(1) If we want to decrease cruelty and mental distortions it is essential for us to have vegetarian food.
(2) Non-vegetarian food is not good from the health point of view. Modern doctors have proved that fat produced by meat, egg and fish has harmful effects on the human body. It causes heart disease and high blood pressure. It hardens the arteries, blocking them with cholesterol. The arteries become contracted and there is a risk of heart failure.
On the other hand, vegetarian food - especially leafy vegetables and fruits - helps in maintaining good health. Cancer is the result of non-vegetarian food whereas vegetarian food reduces the chance of cancer.
- Non-absolutism(open-mindedness):
The Jain doctrine of non-absolutism is a philosophical doctrine. It is applicable to every aspect of life. Many people believe that a philosophical doctrine is only useful for understanding universal truth, but is of no use in everyday life. This is a wrong notion. In this content the principle of non-absolutism gives us a wider perspective and insight.
There are different aspects and view point to every idea. What seems incorrect to us might be correct for another individual in his given circumstances. If we accept this principle of non-absolutism, we become tolerant and humble. The chances of clashes come to an end. Family and social life become happy.
- Right-Sanskar:
One who adopts the Jain life style should always greet others with politeness. They should be strong in their value system and not succumb to any pressure and adhere to adharma.
Regularly visiting monks, reading religious books, understanding karma theory, and having a positive environment in the house by putting up pictures of our monks helps build the right sanskaras for our children.
- Saadharmik-Vaatsalya:
A lay follower must practice Saadharmika-Vaatsalya. It is the technical term of jain philosophy. In the present context, it is known as the brotherhood. This held in the flourishing of Jain religion in Southern India. The facility to earn ones livelihood, education, medication and security was made available to the people of every class.
At present, it is necessary for a Jain lay follower to pay attention to this principle of Saadharmika-Vaatsalya.
In brief, it can be said that one who follows this life-style will lead a happy and peaceful life.
