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on the teachings of the Jinaas), tattva {transcendental reality and dharma {religion/belief
system/true nature of a substance. • Deep faith in the Jinaas, in the preceptors who follow in the footsteps of the Jinaas and in the
religion based on the teachings of the Jinaas. • Experience of the self. • Deep rooted ability to discriminate between the self and non-self. • Firm conviction and abiding interest in the soul • Firm conviction in the true nature of the self (sva-ruupa)
Despite the dissimilar words, attributes, indicators and varying definitions used to describe samyaktva, the difference between them is more lexical than real. All of them indicate the same thing. One should realise that the sentient soul is different from the insentient body, have firm conviction and deep unshakeable faith in this realisation. This will help them shed the bondage of karmas and attain liberation.
Samyaktva is the means to liberation. Only the soul can attain liberation. Not the body. Hence, samyaktva is the religion of the soul. It is not the religion of the body or of any corporeal substance. Hence, it should not be tied down to one particular religion, community, sect or group of people. It is neither caste nor creed. It is simply the path of liberation.
When the seeker does not let samyaktva remain the religion of the soul and drags it down to the gross level, the seeker begins to focus on sectarian tradition rather than liberation. Thus, the seeker believes his sectarian tradition and familiar customs and rituals rather than his own soul. Such a person cannot bring himself to accept the self-focused reality of samyaktva. For him, the belief of his sect or creed becomes his own defining belief.
This is why, one learned seer wrote that,
"Seyambaro vaa aasambaro vaa buddho vaa taha ya anno vaa. Samabhaavabhaaviappaa lahai mukkham na sandeho.”
Samyagdharshana; (Page 298, Author: Ashokmuni, Publisher: Diwaakarjyoti Karyaalaya, Byaawar (Rajasthan), year 1981)
Without any doubt, the soul, which has internalised equanimity shall certainly attain liberation, irrespective of whether the seeker is a Shvetambara, Digambara, Jain or Buddhist.