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Liberation and Its Means
Just as the warmth and light of the sun cannot exist without each other, similarly, right perception (samyak-darshan) and right knowledge (samyak-jnan) cannot exist without each other. However, their association with right conduct (samyak-charitra) is not necessarily inevitable, because right perception and right knowledge can exist for some time even without right conduct. Nevertheless, according to the order of progression (utkranti), it is a rule that when right conduct is attained, the preceding means of right perception and the like must definitely be present.
Question - If the development of spiritual qualities is liberation, and right perception and the like are the means for the development of the soul's specific qualities, then what difference is there between liberation and its means?
Answer - None whatsoever.
Question - If there is no difference, then how can liberation be the goal and right perception and the like be the means? Because the relationship of goal and means is observed in distinct entities.
Answer - The relationship of goal and means is mentioned concerning the state of the practitioner (sadhak), not regarding the state of the perfected being (siddha). Because for the practitioner, the goal is the complete right perception, which is liberation in the form of the three jewels (ratnatraya), and its attainment occurs through the progressive development of the three jewels. This scripture is meant for the practitioner, not for the perfected beings. Therefore, it speaks solely about the distinctions of means and goal that are beneficial for the practitioner.
Question - In the world, the attainment of happiness through means such as wealth, family, children, etc., is directly seen; then why preach the indirect happiness of liberation?
Answer - The preaching of liberation is because true happiness is found therein. The happiness experienced in the world is not true happiness; it is merely the semblance of happiness.
Question - How is there true happiness in liberation and mere semblance of happiness in the world?
Answer - Worldly happiness arises from the fulfillment of desires. The nature of desire is such that even upon attaining rightness, certain beings such as gods, hellish beings, and some humans do not possess special scriptural knowledge, such as knowledge related to conduct and the like. According to this view, the lack of knowing during the time of perception means the lack of special scriptural knowledge. However, the side that believes in the necessity of considering perception and knowledge as companions indicates that the ignorance that the soul has before the attainment of right perception transforms into right perception through the cessation of delusion (mithyadarshan). This ignorance is then called delusion (mati). According to this view, the knowledge gained during the time of attaining rightness is true right knowledge, not just mere special scriptural knowledge.