Existence & Individuality
ACHARYA MAHAPRAJNA
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An individual has two aspects: his individuality and the essential existence. Existence means to be aware of being alive. Individuality means to be something. When we mark name and form, we observe individuality . When we observe the degree of awareness, we see the existence that operates behind the individuality .As an individual, Mahavira is the originator of an order, the spokesman of the dharma of order and the initiator of a system. Essentially , he is neither a preceptor nor a follower, neither a spokesman of a dharma nor a listener, neither a dualist nor a non-dualist.
Dual and non-dual, interpretation and acceptance, theological law-giving and submission to it are all branches of individuality . Through his life, Mahavira moves from individuality to existence.
On the plane of individuality , Mahavira's logic is different.He says, `Kill no creature'. He would say , “As you shun pain, so do other creatures.“ In their common aversion to pain, the killer and the killed have the same identity . Observing this common characteristic would quench all urge to violence.
Mahavira was a votary of existence but he was aware of the expectations of an individual.To advance an individual towards pure existence, his individuality was also to be made instrumental. Mahavira said, “Monks! Before discussing religion with an individual, keep in mind who he is and whose votary he is.“ Triumph and defeat bear significance for an individualist. A votary of existence is indifferent to both.
Dual and non-dual, interpretation and acceptance, theological law-giving and submission to it are all branches of individuality . Through his life, Mahavira moves from individuality to existence.
On the plane of individuality , Mahavira's logic is different.He says, `Kill no creature'. He would say , “As you shun pain, so do other creatures.“ In their common aversion to pain, the killer and the killed have the same identity . Observing this common characteristic would quench all urge to violence.
Mahavira was a votary of existence but he was aware of the expectations of an individual.To advance an individual towards pure existence, his individuality was also to be made instrumental. Mahavira said, “Monks! Before discussing religion with an individual, keep in mind who he is and whose votary he is.“ Triumph and defeat bear significance for an individualist. A votary of existence is indifferent to both.
