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Śramaņa, Vol 56, No. 1-6/January-June 2005
practices and develop the corresponding attributes. There are two kinds' of householders (1) inclined (Naişthikas) and (2) pledged (Päksika) who have to follow eight basic restraints (Mūlagunas) and eleven kinds of mental resolves (Pratimās). The ascetics have five varieties called paragons (Paramesthis) named as Arhats (Enlightened venerable-46), Siddhas (Salvated-8), Ācāryas (Order-Leaders-36), Upadhyāyas (Preceptors-25) and Sadhus (Saints-36) whose attributes are shown against them. Thus, if one plots the number of attributes against the different states of the living beings, one gets a straight line showing that the path of spiritual or inner progress is linear and not zigzag. The linear path is simplest one and refutes the charge of harsh path by the West.
Saluated
Enlightened
Minister
Preoeptor
Saint
Peadged
Groge
20
40
60 80 100 120 QUALITIES, NUMBER
140
160
180
Fig. 1 : Attributes and different states of human beings. (b) The Theory of Spiritual Stages (Guņasthānas)
The Jainas have developed the psychological theory of 14 spiritual stages (from wrong faith to static omniscient stage) depending on the gradually growing nature of volitional inner purity due to observance of vows and austerities. This purity may also be - called as stages of spiritual, progress for the uplevelling the society and the individual himself. It moves oneself away from one's own home and moves one towards a universal home.
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