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These signs of deterioration are evident at present. People do not hold faith in true religion; they cannot perfectly grasp the fundamentals. After Jambuswämi's liberation ten aspects concomitant to liberation have been lost from Bharatkshetra (India).
Knowing about the condition at this time the discerning people would grasp the fundamentals. While cultivating faith in fundamentals of religion in accord with the time they would gain a higher state of existence and would eventually attain liberation. Sermons of the omniscient, unattached Guru etc. are the means of gaining the essence of religion; Bondage of Karma can be reduced by resorting to it.
Lesson 82: Jain Fundamentals, Part 1
Dashvaikälik Sutra states, 'How can an ignorant one not knowing the different aspects of soul and lifeless matter firmly stay restrained?' This statement conveys that one needs to know about the nature of soul as well as of the lifeless matter. That can be made out from the words of disentangled Lords. Other religions also have presented their concepts about these two substances, but they are not accurate. The nature of soul can be made out only by those, who properly understand Nav Tattva (Nine fundamentals) presented by the learned Achäryas together with the commentaries.
The theory of Syädväd (Relative perspective) is unique and rapt with infinite viewpoints. That can be thoroughly made out only by the omniscient and omni percipient ones; it is, however, necessary to know the same to the extent of one's intelligence from the words of Lord in the scriptural texts. Knowledge of nine fundamentals with complete faith gives rise to superb discernment, pure perception and esteemed selfrealization. Those fundamentals cover every aspect of the universe.
One's view of philosophy goes to the extent of his intelligence. His soul gets illuminated according to his approach and he can experience the nature of soul to that extent. One, whose knowledge of fundamentals is subtle and topmost, is very fortunate.
I have given the names of those fundamental in lesson 80. One should gain the details thereof from the books of learned Acharyas. Such books are helpful in understanding at length what is said in scriptural texts. It can also be understood from a Guru. Knowledge of Naya (View points), Nikshep (Modes of presentation), and Pramänbhed (Standards of judgment) is essential for making out Nav Tattva. Those aspects have been adequately explained by the learned Acharyas.
Lesson 83: Jain Fundamentals, Part 2
The omniscient Lords thoroughly knew all the aspects of the universe and they propounded the same to the people. By virtue of the omniscience they were aware of the infinite aspects pertaining to the entire universe and presented the same in the form of nine fundamentals in order to enable the common people to grasp the same; all the aspects of the universe are implicit therein; the subtle instructions of omniscient Lords are basically covered in nine fundamentals (soul, lifeless matter, wholesome Karma, unwholesome Karma, inflow of Karma, prevention of influx, its bondage, its eradication and liberation). All the concepts of other faiths can be accommodated within a part of those nine fundamentals. The instructions of omniscient Lords relate to manifestation of the infinite capabilities of soul, which have been lying latent. Those capabilities blossom forth, when one becomes fully knowledgeable in the science of those fundamentals.