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14: Applied Philosophy of Jainism
are the activities involving service to the needy and affection for all. Therein a dictate for service to the old and the ill has been clearly mentioned. Besides this, two, traditionally distinguishing features of the Tirthankara Way of Life found mentioned prominently, one is that before his monastic ordination every Tirthankara gives in charity tens of millions of gold coins every day for a period of one whole year. 13 This clearly indicates that the activities of charity and service are practiced and approved by the Tirthankaras themselves. In the Jaina legendary literature it has been mentioned that, in one of His previous lives, Bhagavan Śantinātha gave away even the flesh from his own body for saving the life of a pigeon. Similar incidents of life saving, service, charity etc., can be seen in the life sketches of other Tirthankaras as well. Bhagavan Mahāvīra himself not only gave away his celestial cloth to a poor Brahmin but also saved the life of false-visioned Gośālaka, from a fiery energy (tejoleśyā) that attacked him by projecting the cold energy to counter it.
Not only this, even after. self-realisation and gaining the highest form of enlightenment - Kevalajñāna, the Tīrthankaras spread their message throughout the country for the welfare of the masses. The Tīrthankaras themselves have nothing to gain after the supreme accomplishment of kevalajñāna. All activities of their lives are dedicated to the weal and welfare of the other living beings. In Praśnavyākaraṇa1 Mahāvīra preaches only for preserving the lives motivated by mercy towards all living beings. It means that the intent for general weal is present in the detached supreme souls also. If this activity aimed at general weal were binding then how would a detached supreme soul have it? One of the meanings of this observation is that even ordained ascetics can engage themselves in the activities aimed at general weal while steadfastly adhering of their monasticism.
Do meritorious activities cause Karmic Bondage?
The concept that most hinders the acceptance of the value of positive non-violence signified by saving lives, service to the needy and altruistic like charity, co-operation etc., is the concept that all such
