Letting Go: From the Sacred Jainism Scripture – Uttaradhyayana, Part 1 of 2

Sixth Lecture. The False Ascetic.

“All men who are ignorant of the Truth are subject to pain; in the endless Samsara [cycle of death and rebirth] they suffer in many ways. Therefore, a wise man, who considers well the ways that lead to bondage and birth, should himself search for the truth, and be kind towards all creatures.

‘Mother, father, daughter-in-law, brother, wife, and sons will not be able to help me, when I suffer for my own deeds.’ This truth should be taken to heart by a man of pure faith; he should (therefore) cut off greed and love, and not hanker after his former connections. [Land and properties], and jewels and earrings: all these (possessions) you must give up in order to obtain the power of changing your form at will.

Everything that happens to somebody, affects him personally; therefore, knowing the creatures’ love of their own self, do not deprive them of their life, but cease from endangering and harming them. […] Only to preserve one’s life one should eat the food that is put in one’s own alms-bowl. Here some are of opinion that they will be delivered from all misery by merely attending the teacher, without abstaining from sins. Acknowledging the truth about bondage and liberation, but talking only, not acting (in accordance with these tenets), they seek comfort for themselves in mighty words. Clever talking will not work salvation; how should philosophical instruction do it? Ignorant, though sinking lower and lower through their sins, believe themselves to be wise men. They are (going) a long way in the endless Samsara [cycle of death and rebirth]; therefore, looking out carefully one should wander about carefully.

Choosing what is beyond and above (this world, namely liberation), one should never desire (worldly objects), but sustain one’s body only to be able to annihilate one’s Karma. Those will reap pains who, in thoughts, words, or acts, are attached to their body, to colors, and to forms. […]”

Seventh Lecture. The Price of Sin & Parables

“[…] An ignorant man kills, tells lies, robs on the highway, steals foreign goods, deceives, (always thinking of someone) whom he could plunder, the villain. He is desirous of women and pleasures, he enters on undertakings and business, drinks liquor, eats meat, becomes strong, a subduer of foes. He eats crisp goats’ meat, his belly grows, and his veins swell with blood – but he gains nothing but life in hell […].

Those endowed with excellent knowledge live many nayutas [countless number] of years; so great a loss suffer the ignorant in a life of less than a hundred years! […]”