________________
(3) SAMYAK MITHYA DRSTI – stage of spiritual
oscillation between false and rational perception- a
wavering intermixture of error and truth; (4) ASAMYAT SAMYAK DRSTI or AVIRATI -
Beginning of spiritual understanding, but without the
required degree of self-discipline and control; (5) SAMYAT ASAMYAK DRSTI or DESA VIRATI -
Stage for taking introductory vows (vratas), and getting set for the 11 step climb of PRATIMA ladder. The eleven Pratimas are as follows in order of ascent : Darsana (awakening), Vratas (taking vows), Samayika (Practising meditation), Posadha (practicing ascetic life for limited duration), Suchitta- Tyaga (food restraints), Ratribhakta (sexual restraint, and Bramhacharya (celibacy), Arambha tyag (leaving profession), Parigraha Tyag (leaving possessions), Anumati (detachment from family), and Uddista tyag (leaving family and entering ascetic life). The eleven Pratimas of a lay person's spiritual progress is between the fourth and the sixth spiritual stages (Gunasthana).
11 STEPS
PRATIMA LADDER (Between 4th and 6th Gunasthanas)
UDDISTA TYAG 11
ANUMATI 10
PARIGRAHA TYAG 9
ARAMBHA TYAG 8 BRAMHACHARYA 7
RATRI BHAKTA 6 SUCHITTA TYAG 5
POSADHA 4 SAMAYIKA 3
VRATAS 2 DARSANA 1
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A Portrait of Jain Religion
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