Ethics in Jainism
Jain ethical philosophy revolves around three jewels of Jainism {Triratna}, five great vows (Panch mahavratas), seven vows (vratas) for the laity, 11 vows for advanced laity, right penance, right contemplation (dhyana) and 12 reflections (bhavanas).
Pancha Mahavratas
These refer to the five moral principles or vows {Panch Mahavratas} to be followed by every member of Jain religion. These are – Ahimasa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Astheya (non-stealing), Brahamcharya (chastity), and Aparigraha (non-possession).
Out of them, Ahimsa is most important and is a virtue based upon universal love and mercy towards all living beings. Further, the meaning of Ahimsa in Jainism is broad and includes non-violence by thought, word and deed (Mana Vachana and Kaya). Jainism considers that mere thought of killing is as much moral evil as actually killing. The desire to kill is also deemed to be actual killing.
Three Jewels
Three Jewels or three gems or three refuges of Jainism include Right Perception (Samyak Darsana), Right knowledge (Samyak Jnana) and Right conduct (Samyak Charitrya). They constitute the core practice of Jainism for both the ascetics and householders.
Right Perception (Samyak Darsana)
Right Perception (Samyak Darsana) or right view is not merely a physical act but also the mental process behind it influenced by attitude and background of the preceptor. It comes with the ability to discriminate correctly between right and wrong, good and bad, right belief and wrong belief, right knowledge and wrong knowledge, and between truth and untruth. Right perception leads to contentment (prasanna), detachment (nirveda), spiritual yearning for liberating, (samvega), kindness (anukampa) and faith in the path (astikaya). It also results in freedom from eight kinds of pride viz. pride in family, physical strength, beauty, knowledge, wealth, authority, relationships and spiritual progress.
How to cultivate Right Perception
Cultivation of right perception requires a great deal of inner discipline and assiduous practice which demands the following requirements.
- Faith without doubts,
- Complete renunciation of desire for worldly comforts,
- Respect for believers on the path,
- Absence of likes and dislikes,
- Disinterest in wrong paths,
- Bringing non-believers to the path,
- Cultivation of right faith, and
- Spreading the knowledge Jainism
Right knowledge (Samyak Jnana)
Right knowledge (Samyak Jnana) comes with right perception, right understanding, right discrimination and by knowing the true doctrine. Jainsim believes that the knowledge coming from external agencies is liable to error while knowledge gained directly through the faculties of the soul cannot be wrong. Right knowledge is useful and reliable because it is a true representation of what is. The Right Knowledge has five components viz. Mati (Mental Knowledge), Sruti (Acquired Knowledge), Avadhi (Distant Knowledge), Manahparaya (Paranormal Knowledge), Kevalya (Absolute Knowledge).
Right conduct (Samyak Charitrya)
Right conduct comes from the awareness of what is right and what is wrong and by doing what is right. Thus, Right perception and Right Knowledge are prerequisites for Right Conduct.
What I can learn from Jainism?
Some of the essential features of Jainism are useful for our life even if we are not followers of that religion. The Religious tolerance, mercy upon other animals and humans, Ethical purity, Harmony between self and environment, spiritual contentment are some of them. Further, the three jewels of Jainism are universal values and applicable to each one of us.
