Modes are infinite, and laws are infinite.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that the complexities of existence and the principles governing them are limitless.
Mahavira's statement highlights the idea that both the ways of being (modes) and the rules that govern existence (laws) are countless and varied. This reflects a fundamental understanding of the universe's complexity, urging us to recognize that our perceptions and experiences are not confined to a single interpretation or understanding of reality.
In practice
In a philosophical debate about existence, one might use this quote to illustrate the complexity of life.
If one undertakes retrospection of the day's events, one must do it regularly at the appointed hour, not fitfully, not doing it today, neglecting to do it tomorrow and the day after and then taking it up again on the fourth day. Such irregular practice is not conducive to the confirmation of the habit of retrospection.
If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.
Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.
Start the practice of self-control with some penance; begin with fasting.
Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.
Eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control; it gives rise to indolence.
We are 6.6 billion people now. We can only feed 4 billion. I don't see 2 billion volunteers to disappear.
There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear quietly and quickly when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along, making a noise like elephants which they can hear a mile off.
Our thoughts are clay, they are moulded with the changes of the days;--when we are resting they are good; under fire, they are dead. Fields of craters within and without.
The thing that moves us to pride or shame is not the mere mechanical reflection of ourselves but the imagined effect of this reflection upon another's mind.
I am a mirror to my neighbor, and in that mirror, he must see a reflection of Jesus. If that mirror is cloudy or distorted, Jesus' reflection will be so vague it will hardly be seen.
My hope is to create spaces where people of all stripes can come together and speak at a lower decibel level. We make more sense that way. We sound more like our real selves that way.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.