Samkit Faith Practice Liberation

SR No.: 007764
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amit B Bhansali
Publisher: Amit B Bhansali
Publication Year: 2015
Total Pages: 447
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 7 MB

Page 66

who explains things as they are.
"Aaptenochhinnadoshena sarvagynanaagameshinaa
Bhavitavyam niyogena naanyathaa hyaaptataa bhavet"
~ Ratnakarandaka Shraavakaachaara, Verse 5 (Page 10, Author: Aachaarya Samantabhadra, Publisher: Muni Sangh Swaagat Samiti (Sagar), Madhya Pradesh, year 1986)
As per tradition, an aapta (authoritative figure/god} must necessarily be free from any defects, must be omniscient and he must teach the scriptures. Else, he would not be an aapta.
An Arihanta is one who is possessed of audaarika (gross physical} body, has annihilated the four ghaati karmas (karmas which impede omniscience) and has eternal knowledge, eternal perception, eternal strength and eternal bliss and preaches the dharma (religion/doctrine/true nature of substances).
"Sarvagynam sarvalokesham sarvadoshavivarjitam.
Sarvasatvahitam praahuraaptamaaptamatauchitaah."
-Upasakadhyayana Suutra, Verse 2.49 (Page 15, Publisher: Bharatiya Gyaanpith Prakashan, Varanasi, year 1964)
The aapta (final authority/master/leader) is one who is omniscient, lord of the three worlds, free from all defects and desires the well being of all living beings in the universe.
"Chhuhatanhabhiiruroso raago moho chintaa jaraa ruujaa micchuu.
Sedam khedam mado rai vimhiyaniddaa januvvego. Nissesadosarahio kevalanaanaaiparamavibhajudo.
So paramappaa ucchai tavvivariio na paramappaa."
~Niyamasaara; Verse 7 (Page 24, Author: Aachaarya Kundakunda Publisher: Shantiveer Digambar Jain Sodh Sansthaan, (Hastinaapur) Merat, (UP) year 1985)
One who is free from the defects of hunger, thirst, fear, anger, attachment, delusion, anxiety, old age, illness, death, perspiration, regret, arrogance, likes, astonishment, desire to sleep, birth and restlessness; is omniscient, is the supreme, transcendental soul - Paramaatmaaa. One who does not have the above qualities, is not Paramaatmaaa. Jainism holds that worshipping celestials who are not free from sensual desire is a sign of mental weakness.
Jainism focuses on spirituality. It believes that one should only have faith in and worship one who is complete, has attained omniscience through the acme of enlightened perception, knowledge and conduct and is completely free from the tentacles of transmigration.
Thus, it behoves the seeker to have faith in such a supremely detached omniscient being.
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