$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 43

• Lead to non-attachment and purity
• Lead to Samyag Tapa (Right Penance) This leads to the main goal of a human life, which is freedom from attachment (Räga) and aversion (Dvesha) to attain the state of perfect equanimity. From another angle, Right Conduct is related to the state of mind. If there is equanimity in adversity as well as prosperity, and if one is free from attachment (Räga), infatuation (Moha), and aversion (Dvesha) or hatred (Ghrinä), all the conduct of such a person will be Right Conduct. It is here that Right Faith and Right Knowledge come into play. Faith gives confidence and knowledge clears the mind, thus helping in attainment of equanimity, non-attachment, and self-restraint. For practical purposes, Right Conduct comprises ethical codes, rules, and discipline, which a human being is required to pursue for ultimate freedom. Broadly speaking, Right Conduct implies a life of self-discipline through self-restraint as against a life of self-indulgence. It requires control over one's desires, since human desires are insatiable. In other words, leading a restrained and disciplined life by disciplining one's mind, one's speech, and one's body is the way of Right Conduct. These require effort and practice, which has been made easy by the prescription of precise rules of conduct in the form of vows (Vratas). These rules and vows are logical, simple, and practical for all types of people. Ultimately, the aim is to lead life in such a way that no Kashaya (vices) occur within our soul and hence no new karma bondage occurs, and the past karma are separated from the soul before its maturity. Before proceeding further, it may be reiterated that Right Conduct also includes, within its fold, Right Penance (Samyag Tapa), which is a very important part of the Jain codes of conduct. Some schools consider it important enough to mention separately, thus declaring the path of liberation being four-fold: Right Faith; Right Knowledge; Right Conduct and Right Penance The interesting aspect of Right Conduct is that on this path there is a place for everyone: from a beginner called a path-follower (Märgänusäri), to the most advanced seeker, the saints. Furthermore, this disciplined approach encompasses all aspects of human life; social, personal, economical, and of course, spiritual, leading to the integrated development of the individual. This highway is open to all irrespective of caste, creed, class or sex, for Jains and non-Jains alike. • The soul's ultimate destiny is Moksha. Right Conduct shall ultimately lead to liberation.
Right Faith and Right Knowledge are required for Right Conduct, and they are all interdependent. Jains dedicate themselves to proper conduct through major vows and minor vows. Vows are at the heart of morality and are undertaken with full knowledge of their nature and a determination to
carry them through. Understanding Samyag Darshan, Samyag Jnän, and Samyag Charitra itself is not good enough to take us anywhere unless we apply them in real practice to their fullest to get the actual results. It should also be remembered that we would have to follow all three at the same time because if we follow only one or two of them, they will not take us very far on the road of spiritual pursuit. The trinity is necessary for a successful life. This threefold discipline helps us realize our own intrinsic purity. The trinity must be cultivated collectively to ensure liberation. Individually, they are incomplete and insufficient because they are mutually dependent. Collectively, the three jewels produce harmony, contentment, and bliss with the progressive march of the soul to a higher plane
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
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