Jaina Philosophy and Religion

SR No.: 001604
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nyayavijay
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 500
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Epistemology
File Size: 12 MB

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Jaina Philosophy and Religion
proportionately removed and consequently the light of equanimity is manifested in due proportion. When the highest degree of equanimity is attained, the mental concentration is achieved as its consequence. And on account of mental concentration, the soul rises to the state of meditation or trance. Having attained this state, the spiritual practiser acquires miraculous powers. So, at this stage the danger of being entrapped and entangled in them presents itself and if he develops liking for self-admiration, self-worship, etc., the downfall is certain and immediate. Therefore, the authors of the spiritual works warn the yogis possessed of the miraculous powers of knowledge and meditation against this formidable temptation. They advise them to be ever vigilant and to continue their task of destroying delusion with full perseverance. When the practiser reaches the highest peak of spiritual development, that is, the state of absolute freedom from attachment, he attains his highest cherished goal, the liberation; consequently now there is nothing left for him to attain or to strive for, and the state of the supreme soul is manifested in him. So long as he lives in his body, he is the highest soul having form. But as soon as his body leaves him he becomes the formless highest soul.
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The Jaina thinkers describe three different states of the soul and consequently recognise three types of souls, viz., the exterior souls (bahirātmā), the interior souls (antarātmā), and the transcendental souls (paramātmā). The exterior souls are blind to the spiritual welfare. They hanker after sensual pleasures. They have the deluded belief that they are none other than the body. They are extrovert. The souls that clearly distinguish themselves from their bodies and the sense-organs are the interior souls. They turn inward and are attracted towards the inner spiritual wealth. They experience peace and calmness. They are introvert. The pure and perfect souls free from all defilements and limitations are the transcendental souls. They shine with the infinite light of knowledge.
Again, the Jaina theoreticians trace the spiritual evolution through the seven states of soul, viz., the exterior soul (bahirātmā), the noble soul (bhadrātmā), the interior soul (antarātmā)', the saintly soul (sadātmā)2, the great soul (mahātmā), the yogi soul (yogātmā) and the transcendental soul (paramātmā).
1. When the soul attains right faith or attitude, it is called the interior soul.
2. When it lives an active moral life by practising the spiritual discipline prescribed for a householder, it is called the saintly soul.
3. When it leads a life of complete renunciation of all evil acts, it is called the great soul.