From the Sacred Jainism Scripture – “Uttaradhyayana,” Lectures 24 and 25, Part 2 of 2

Let us continue with the 25th lecture of the Uttaradhyayana sutra – one of the most important scriptures in Jainism. This lecture is titled, “The True Sacrifice,” whereby a sage by the name of Gayaghôsha explains to the priest Vigayaghôsha the meaning of true sacrifice and how animal-people sacrifices are sinful.

“The great sage, Gayaghôsha replied: ‘He who is called by people a Brâhmana and is worshipped like fire (is no true Brâhmana). But him we call a true Brâhmana, whom the wise point out as such. He who has no worldly attachment after entering the order, and who takes delight in the noble words, him we call a Brâhmana. He who is exempt from love, hatred, and fear, (and who shines forth) like burnished gold, purified in fire, him we call a Brâhmana. A lean, self-subduing ascetic, who reduces his flesh and blood, who is pious and has reached Nirvâna, him we call a Brâhmana. He who thoroughly knows living beings, whether they move or not, and does not injure them in any of the three ways, him we call a Brâhmana.

The binding of animals (to the sacrificial pole), all the Vêdas, and sacrifices, being causes of sin, cannot save the sinner; for his works (or Karman) are very powerful. One does not become a Sramana by the tonsure, nor a Brâhmana by the sacred syllable ôm, nor a Muni by living in the woods, nor a Tâpasa by wearing (clothes of) Kusa-grass and bark.

One becomes a Sramana by equanimity, a Brâhmana by chastity, a Muni by knowledge, and a Tâpasa by penance. By one’s actions one becomes a Brâhmana, or a Kshattriya, or a Vaisya, or a Sûdra. The Enlightened One has declared these (good qualities) through which one becomes a (true) Snâtaka; him who is exempt from all Karman, we call a Brâhmana. The most excellent twice-born men who possess these good qualities, are able to save themselves and others.’”

“‘There is glue (as it were) in pleasure: those who are not given to pleasure, are not soiled by it; those who love pleasures, must wander about in the Samsâra; those who do not, will be liberated.’”