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184 Tattvarthsutra
[7.18 The possibility of such transgressions is described here in five parts. They are as follows:
1. Doubtful transgression: After accepting the perspective of Arhat discourse, to have doubts regarding many subtle and transcendental substances (which can only be known through right knowledge and scripture) questioning, ‘Will they be like this or not?’ Despite the full place of doubt and previous examination in Jain philosophy, calling doubt a transgression here means that there should be no attempt to justify substances beyond rational comprehension through reasoning. Because a practitioner cannot make the faith-based realm into a reason-based one, ultimately leading to the abandonment of the reason-based realm as well. Therefore, any doubt that hinders the development of spiritual practice should be rejected as a transgression.
2. Desirous transgression: To have desires for worldly and otherworldly topics. If such desire arises, the practitioner will abandon their principles at any moment without considering the virtues and faults, which is why it is termed transgression.
3. Doubtful transgression: Wherever the matter of disagreement or differences in opinion arises, instead of coming to a decision on one’s own, to think due to dullness or unstable intellect that ‘this point is right and that point could also be right.’ This instability of intellect never allows the practitioner to remain steadfast on any one principle, which is why it is called a transgression.
4-5. Praise of false perception and acknowledgment of false view as transgression: Praising or getting acquainted with someone whose perception is false. Even among individuals with deluded vision, sometimes qualities such as thought and renunciation can be found. Without differentiating between virtues and faults, being attracted by those virtues and praising or getting acquainted with such individuals poses a risk for the imprudent practitioner of slipping from their principles. Therefore, praising others’ views and recognizing others’ perspectives are considered transgressions. It is not the case that such praise and acknowledgment are entirely harmful for the practitioner who understands qualities as qualities, and faults as faults, with discernment and moderation.
These five types of transgressions are equally applicable to both lay followers and monks, as for both, right perception is a common principle. 18.