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
on the excellent path of religion, that is, on the highly elevated path of progressive spiritual discipline and welfare in order to achieve in future the state of absolute non-attachment and thereby to attain Godhood or divinity.
The opposite of samyaktva (right attitude, faith or conviction) is mithyātva (wrong attitude, faith or conviction). From this, it is clear that on the removal or destruction of mithyātva, samyaktva makes its appearance. So it is useful to know, in brief, the types of mithyātva.
(1) Mithyāva about things This is illustrated by the wrong conviction or belief that the body itself is soul or by the non-acceptance of their difference.
(2) Mithyātva about the highest goal This is the wrong conviction or belief about the nature of liberation. Instead of regarding liberation or the state of non-attachment or perfect spiritual purity as the highest goal, to regard physical and material happiness as the highest goal is the mithyātva about the highest goal.
(3) Mithyātva about the path (religion) This is the wrong conviction or belief about religion. Not to regard as adharma (evil path) the performance of evil acts of violence, injustice and immorality, remaining indifferent towards the happiness and comforts of others, with a view to satisfying one's inordinate desire for material pleasures and prosperity is mithyātva regarding religion or the path. In other words, not to regard compassion, morality, self-control and righteousness as dharma (wholesome path) or to regard the opposite vicious qualities as dharma is mithyātva regarding dharma.
(4) Mithyātva about spiritual teacher To regard an unworthy spiritual teacher as the worthy one is the mithyātva about spiritual teacher. He who is attached to worldly things and relations, who hankers after worldly pleasures and fame, who is hypocrite, who is ignorant, and who lacks power of discrimination and judgement is the unworthy spiritual teacher.