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Digambars believe that stree-ling (female) and Napunsak-ling (hermaphrodite) does not become Siddha in that life but can get Kshäyik Samyak darshan (permanent right perception). A person with Kshäyik Samyak Darshan (permanent right perception) does not get reborn as a female or hermaphrodite, and also a female or hermaphrodite will not have the bone structure (Samghayana see Dhyäna above) to be able to undergo penance and Dhyäna required to achieve Siddha hood.
According to their belief system, a householder (Gruhastha ling) by definition is not committed to the ultimate vows that are necessary to achieve liberation. Again, an individual claiming to be of any other faith (Anyalinga) does not have the right faith. Since Samyag Darshan is fundamental for the path leading to liberation, the person without right faith cannot achieve liberation. Women, because of the social restrictions cannot follow the total vows required for salvation. Along similar lines, they reject the notion of Napunsak-ling Siddha.
According to Digambar tradition, liberated soul is considered through following aspects called gateways of investigations:
(Reference Tattvärtha sutra verse 10.9 Digambar tradition, 10.7 Shvetämbar tradition)
One can achieve salvation from any of the Karma Bhumi namely Bharat, Airävat and Mahä-videha Kshetra
01 Place
Kshetra 02 Time
Samaya
03 Realms of birth
Gati
04
Gender
Ling
05 Ford
Tirtha
06 Conduct Chäritra
07 Ability of self or help of
Some Souls can achieve salvation in both ascending and descending time cycles: in Bharat and Airävat Kshetra.
In descending time cycle to achieve salvation soul has to be born in the last part of 3rd Ärä (plenty with scarcity), in the 4th Ärä (scarcity & plenty) or in the beginning of 5th Ärä (scarcity) born in 4th Ärä.
In Ascending time cycle to achieve salvation soul has to be born in scarcity & plenty Ärä
As there is no such division of time, cycle in Mahä-videha Kshetra One can achieve salvation any time.
One can achieve salvation as Human beings only.
One can achieve salvation only when completely free of all sexual disposition (thought less state with respect to sexual disposition), which is only possible in the 9th stage of liberation (Anivritti Karan or Bädara Gunasthäna). In order to reach 9th stage of liberation one has to completely renounce the worldly possessions including clothes. Because of social reasons, it is not possible for women & hermaphroditic to completely renounce the possessions & therefore cannot achieve salvation in the present life.
Someone can achieve salvation as Tirthankars and some can achieve salvation as ordinary Kevalis. Some can attain salvation in presence of Tirthankars while some in their absence
One can achieve salvation in their perfect conduct but during the process, one goes through all stages of conduct. After the 10th stage of liberation (Sukshma Samparäya Gunasthäna) one reaches in the perfect conduct necessary for liberation.
One can achieve salvation through ability of self or one can achieve salvation through the initiation and guidance of others like Tirthankars or
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
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