Unknown Pilgrims

SR No.: 007014
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N Shanta
Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications Delhi
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 820
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 278

PART II
THE PATH LEADING TO NIRVĀNA
The Supreme Reality (is), in truth the ātman, the Pure, the Omniscient, the Wise, the Knower; ascetics absorbed in the ātman, attain nirvāņa.
Our lengthy journey, traversing the centuries and the various regions, has already familiarised us with the quintessence of the Jaina dharma's basic intuition, an intuition extremely simple in itself, which became a consistent doctrine thanks to the progressive elaboration it received at the hands of the first ācāryas and their successors. This elaboration has always aimed at maintaing intact the original intuition; it has sought to guard against diluting it and to avoid any deviation from the path traced by the arhats, while at the same time rendering the arduous ascent of this same path accessible to human beings. The ācāryas directed their endeavours above all towards an explanation of the contents of the original teaching so as to make it intelligible, while always attaching great importance to the psychological and physical make-up of the human person, for it is the total human being who, guided by the doctrine, must collaborate in the liberation of his or her atman. The ācāryas have time and again evidenced great subtlety of thought as well as a profound knowledge of human nature even in its most inaccessible and secret places. They have noted in a lucid manner the weaknesses inherent in this nature and have expressed themselves with good sense, wisdom, moderation and firmness.
paramattho khalu samao suddho jo kevali muņi ņāņi
tamhi tthidā saháve muniņo pāvaṁti nirvāṇam. Samsa 151; the Supreme Reality: paramattha (paramartha); ātman: samaya (cf.P 277 n.43). Absorbed in the atman: lit. established in the very nature (of this ātman).
maya e-p2941 1945)
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