O man! go to the school of the bee; consider that wise labourer, and contemplate her works. Admire her activity and industry, by which she turns all to her advantage. Always busy, ever indefatigable, evening and morning she labours, and supports with courage the troubles of a short life. And wilt thou languish in indolence and idleness, or consume thy days in frivolous pleasures? Ah, rather apply thyself to more earnest labour than even the bee, which has not received, like thee, the inestimable gift of reason. Thy life is short; may it be entirely consecrated to labour, without intermission, for the glory of thy great Master, and the welfare of thy soul ! --STURM'S REFLECTIONS. AN INDOLENT YOUNG MAN. How many live in the world as useless as if they had never been born! They pass through life like a bird through the air, and leave no track behind them; waste the prime of their days in deliberating what they shall do, and bring them to a period without coming to any determination. An indolent young man, being asked why he lay in bed so long, jocosely and carelessly answered. Every morning of my life I am hearing causes. I have two fine girls, their names are Industry and Sloth, close at my bedside as soon as ever I awake, pressing their different suits. One intreats me to get up, the other persuades me to lie still; and then they alternately give me various reasons why I should rise, and why I should not. This detains me so long, as it is the duty of an impartial judge to hear all that can be said on either side, that before the pleadings are over, it is time to go to dinner.* yyyya *From Bewick's Select Fables. 81. FOR THE JAINS. One might almost sum up the atmosphere of Jainism in one phrase, that we find in the Sûtra Kritânga, that man by injuring no living creature reaches the Nirvâna which is peace. That is a phrase that seems to carry with it the whole thought of the Jaina: peacepeace between man and man, peace between man and animal, peace everywhere and in all things, a perfect brotherhood of all that lives such is the ideal of the Jains, such is the thought that he endeavours to realise upon earth.* : Jainism is a religion which can properly claim to head the list of religions that have for their motto "Ahimsâ Paramo Dharmah;" "Destroy no living creature Injure no living creature! This is the highest religion."† We are told that there are three jewels, and these are said to be right knowledge, right faith, right conduct, a fourth being added for ascetics. "Learn the true road leading to final deliverance, which the Jinas have taught; it depends on four causes, and is characterised by right knowledge and faith. I. Right knowledge; II. Faith; III Conduct; IV. Austerities. This is the road taught by the Jinas who possess the best knowledge." * From Annie Besant's Lecture on Jainism. † From A Lecture on Jainism by Lâlâ Benârsi Dâss. The essential principles of the faith are common to all classes of Jains, but some differences occur in their Duties as they are divided into religious or lay orders, Yatis and Shrâvakas. Implicit belief in the doctrines and actions of the Tirthankaras is, of course, obligatory on both; but the former are expected to follow a life of abstinence, taciturnity, and continence, whilst the latter add to their moral and religious code the practical worship of the Tirthankaras, and profound reverence for their more pious brethren. The moral code of the Jains is expressed in five Mahâvratas, or great duties: Refraining from injury to life, truth, honesty, chastity, and freedom from worldly desires. There are four Dharmas, or merits-liberality, gentleness, piety, and penance; and three sorts of restraintgovernment of the mind, the tongue, and the person. To these are superadded a number of minor instructions or prohibitions.* 1. Not to injure animal life, 2. Not to lie, 3. Not to steal, 4. Not to indulge in sensual pleasure. -RELIGIOUS PROHIBITIONS OF THE JAINAS.† 1. To discard doubt, 2. to perform acts without expectation of advantage, 3. to have a steady faith. -INJUNCTIONS OF THE JAINAS.t Let not any one injure life, whilst bound in the bonds of action; but be as assiduous in cherishing the life of another as his own. Never let any one speak From The Works of H. H. Wilson. From Bird's Historical Researches on the Bauddha and Jaina Religions. |