Page Text
________________
Jain Path of Liberation
Pravin K. Shah
The ultimate purpose of all life and activity in Jainism is to realize the free and blissful state of our true being. True philosophy should result in removing all bondages (karmas) in the process of purifying the soul.
The central theme of Jainism considers religion as a science of ethical practice. The conduct of the present life should be aimed to attain total freedom from which there is no return to the birth and death cycle. Every soul can attain liberation and supreme spiritual state by realizing its intrinsic purity and perfection.
Jainism lays down a definitive course of practical moral discipline, contemplation of the highest truth, and reorientation of life in light of these for attaining ultimate reality or truth.
The Principal Features of Jainism are: Religious tolerance Ethical purity Harmony between self and one's environment Spiritual contentment
Jainism prescribes a path to liberation (Moksha), consists of the following trinity (ratna-traya): Right perception
-Samyak darsana Right knowledge
-Samyak jnana Right conduct
-Samyak charitrya
Right perception creates an awareness of reality or truth, right knowledge impels the person to proper action, and right conduct leads him to the attainment of total freedom. They must coexist in a person if one is to make any progress on the path of liberation.
Right Perception (Samyak Darsana)
Right perception or faith makes us realize the reality of life, and the seriousness of our purpose in life. The first step in the process of self-realization is to discard superstitious beliefs and to adopt a rational attitude in life.
Right perception consists in seeing the true nature of every substance in the universe. Jainism advocates that one should first try to know, comprehend, and understand the nature of reality, one's own self-religious goal, and the path. One should analyze it, examine it, test it, verify it, and then, if satisfied, be convinced of its truth and efficacy. From the practical point of view, perception in the nature of the reality means to
Jain Education Intemational
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
| SR No. | 528511 |
| Book Title | Jain Society Lansing MI 2000 05 Pratistha |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Jain Center Lansing MI |
| Publisher | USA Jain Center Lansing MI |
| Publication Year | 2000 |
| Total Pages | 108 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Magazine, USA_Souvenir Jain Center MI Lansing, & USA |
| File Size | 4 MB |