Sacho Jain

This document, titled "Sacho Jain" (True Jain) by Sukhlal Sanghavi, from "Darshan ane Chintan Part 2," delves into the fundamental question of how one can become a true Jain, especially when faced with conflicting societal pressures and personal interests.

The author highlights the internal struggle individuals face. On one hand, there's a temptation to prioritize unity, avoid conflict, and compromise one's principles for the sake of worldly interests, be it business, politics, or social standing. On the other hand, familial upbringing, tradition, and social expectations often push individuals to cling to their self-interest, fearing the consequences of letting go, such as jeopardizing family welfare or the prestige of their caste, religion, and community.

This internal conflict isn't limited to secular matters; it arises even in the context of religion. While scholars and ascetics preach generosity and sacrifice, even revered spiritual leaders, when faced with a critical moment demanding true self-sacrifice and generosity, assert the importance of defending their religion. They question the possibility of abandoning any aspect of their faith, even material possessions, and emphasize the need to protect religious institutions and their rights to ensure the survival of religion itself.

The author points out that this sense of self-identity and possessiveness isn't confined to religious authorities. Even parents who invest in their children's character development, sending them for spiritual guidance and expecting them to be generous, tolerant, and humble, can inadvertently encourage their grown children to prioritize self-interest and assert their rights, even unjustly. They might advise their children not to be meek and to stand up for themselves, lest they be considered weak or be reduced to begging.

This creates a dilemma: should one cultivate generosity and true humanity by letting go of worldly desires, or succumb to ingrained prejudices and selfish impulses, chasing fleeting personal gains? The author finds it peculiar that the noble objectives of religion, like generosity, are often relegated to mere discussions, while the cycle of compromise and self-interest continues.

The text further illustrates this conflict within the Jain community itself, noting that even among different sects (Śvetāmbara, Digambara, Sthānakavāsin) who share a common culture and philosophical foundation, the opportunity to practice generosity and humility is often missed. Instead, when faced with disputes over rights or honor, a fierce competition arises. During such critical junctures, when one is expected to demonstrate religious principles, there's pressure to act assertively, with accusations of weakness or indifference to religion. The author argues that under the guise of protecting religion, these ingrained values of generosity and tolerance can be weakened or even nullified.

The central and profound question posed is: what should a true Jain, or anyone aspiring to be one, do amidst these daunting internal and external conflicts that often leave individuals bewildered? The author questions how many possess the wisdom and cultural refinement to find the answer independently. If society cannot find the answer on its own, from whom should it seek guidance? The author laments that when different leaders offer conflicting answers, the confusion becomes a tangled web, leaving individuals incapacitated.

Therefore, the author emphasizes the urgent need to find a universal, unbiased, and timeless path and a test to guide everyone towards the correct answer. He believes this path and test might already be present in the hearts of many virtuous individuals and can be realized with minimal effort. He implores every sympathetic reader to reflect on this path and test, not to stifle their intellectual independence or decision-making abilities.

The concluding thought urges every reader to consider what is required to become a true Jain when faced with opposing situations and what universally accepted criterion should be kept in mind for making such decisions.