From Initiation to Detachment

Initiation
He who looks at both straw and gold alike, is said to be truly initiated.

Suffering Afflictions
``It is not myself alone who suffers but all creatures in the world suffer too'', thus a wise man should ruminate and patiently bear the afflictions that befall him, without giving way to his passions.

Aspirant
A self-restrained aspirant should eat, drink and talk less.

Renouncer
He who is unable to enjoy apparels, cosmetics, jewellery, women and cosy cushions (because of their non-availability) is not a true renouncer. On the other hand, a person who turns his back to all wordly pleasures and dear objects easily available to him is a true renouncer.

Gateways of Dharma
Forgiveness, contentment, simplicity and modesty—these form the four gateways of Dharma.

Wheel of Righteousness
Not wealth (but nobility of conduct) is necessary for moving the wheel of righteousness.

Religion of a Householder
The twelve kinds of vows prescribed for a householder consist of the five primary vows (anuvratas), the three mertorious vows (Gunavratas) and the four disciplinary vows (Siksavratas).

Five Primary Vows
Partial abstinence from violence, falsehood, stealing, carnality and possessiveness are the five primary vows (Anuvratas).

Where to Practise Religion ?
Populous town, village or forest has no relevance ot the practice of Dharma as it is the self in which Dharma abides.

Seven Vices
Extra-marital affairs, gambling, drinking, hunting, harsh-speech, cruel punishment and theft—these are the seven vices which a householder must abstain from.

Gambling
A blind person is able to apprehend various things through all other senses, but a person who indulges in gambling is unable to apprehend anything though he possesses all senses.

Meat-Eating
Consumption of meat arouses one's passions; this leads him to taking intoxicants and indulging himself in gambling. Thus he falls a prey to all the vices.

Non-Contradication
Some view righteousness, wealth and pleasure as mutually contradictory. However Jaina faith propounds that if these are imbibed in a balanced way, then they are non-contradictory.

Life is Dear to All
All living beings love their life, they wish to relish pleasure, dislike misery. Nobody likes to be killed; they wish to enjoy life and love to live long. Life is dear to everyone.

Non-Violence
Not to kill any living being is the quintessence of all wisdom. Certainly, one has to understand that non-violence and equality constitute eternal Dharma.

Friendliness
One should be friendly towards all creatures.

<font color=#FF1493>Truthful
A person who speaks the truth becomes trustworthy like a mother, venerable like a preceptor, and dear to everyone like a kinsman.

<font color=#FF1493>Falsehood
In this world, falsehood is condemned by all saints. A person who utters a lie is trusted by none. Hence one should give up falsehood.

<font color=#FF1493>Theft
Under the influence of greed, a man fails to discriminate between good and evil and indulges in theft without caring even for his own life.

<font color=#FF1493>Celibacy
He who is neither infatuated nor attracted even after observing feminine charms, really observes the most difficult vow of celibacy.

<font color=#FF1493>Forms of Stealing
Attraction for other's property, attachment, desire, non-restraint, greed, malpractices in trade and taking other's articles without permission—all these amount to stealing.

<font color=#FF1493>Possessiveness
It is on account of attachment that a person commits violence, utters lies, commits theft, indulges in sex and develops a yearning for unlimited hoardings.

<font color=#FF1493>Attachment
Attachment is possessiveness.

<font color=#FF1493>Detachment
Just as gold fallen in the sludge remains untainted, so also a self-realised person even while doing his worldly duties is not tainted by karmas. On the other hand, just as iron gets rusty when it falls in the sludge, so also an ignorant person due to attachment while doing his duties, is bound by karmas.