Jainism the Creed for All Times

SR No.: 006564
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: D S Baya
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 420
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 169

works. These are as follows : -- 1. Matijñāna (Sensory Knowledge) - The perception
gained through five sensory organs and the mind, which is considered as half a sense-organ, is called Matijñāna. It is gained in the following four stages : - a. Avagraha or apprehension that something is there,
häor consideration that what it could be by drawing on past experience,
Avāya or determination that it is such and such, and d. Dhāraṇā or retention for further reference and
gaining the capability for timely recall in future.
As all living beings are endowed with one or more sensory organ(s), they also have Matijñāna. It is also known as deductive knowledge (Abhinibodhika-jñāna) as it is deduced from the experiences of the sensory organs. This type of knowledge has been said to be indirect (paroksa), as it is not through direct realisation by spiritual means but through the medium of sensory organs and the mind. However, another view takes it as practically direct (Samvyavahāra pratyaksa), as it is gained through own
senses and without the aid of any external agency. 2. Śrutajñāna (Scriptural Knowledge) - The second type
of right-knowledge in the indirect category is scriptural knowledge. It is the knowledge gained through the study of and listening to discourses on scriptural contents. As the senses of sight, hearing, speech and thought are involved in reading, listening to and reciting the scriptures, it cannot be gained in isolation of the sensory knowledge. There are fourteen sub-types of the scriptural knowledge. Some of these merit description - a. Samyagśruta or right scriptures are the ones that
contain the teachings of the omniscient Prophets (Tīrtharkaras) and have been composed either by SAMYAGJÑANA (THE RIGHT-KNOWLEDGE) : 141