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Epistemology of Jainas
knowledge is judged. The real value of knowledge, as has been already stated lies in its ethical utility. There are three virtues that pave the path to liberation"; (i) Right Attitude (samyagdarśana), (ii) Right knowledge (Samyagjñāna) and (iii) Right conduct (samyakcăritra). Uttarādhyayanaz adds austerity (tapas) also to the above list; but, it is virtually included into the conduct. Right-knowledge, as has been stated before, is not possible without Right attitude; and the conduct is not right unless it is accompanied by right knowledge. Without right conduct deliverance from the worldly miseries is impossible and without perfect deliverance from miseries, no permanent happiness can be achieved.3 Thus, knowledge plays an important part in constructing the road to deliverance (moksa).
Righl faith is generally defined as the firm belief 4 in the words of Jinas, those who have conquered all passions and have attained omniscience; faith in the efficacy of their teachings as the only guide for spiritual progress and deliverance. The teaching of Jinas is arranged in nine categories 5 (tattvas) and six substances (arthas). The function of Right-faith is to divert the attention of a jiva, from worldly affairs to spiritual progress. As soon as an aspirant gets his attention diverted towards the spiritual progress, his knowledge and all other activities are directed towards the attainment of that very goal, and therefore, become samyak or purposeful. Thus the utility of right faith is confined to the diversion of attention only. It is not related with the development of any characteristic of the soul. Right knowledge and right conduct are the real attributes of soul; which increase with the spiritual progress and get their full manifestation at the stage of liberation. This is why
1. Uttarādhyayana XXVIII. 30; Tattvārtha 1.1 2. Ibid., 2 3. Ibid., XXVIII, 30 4. Ibid., 15 5. Ibid., 146. Sthānārga, 665
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