$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

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

Page 68

Chapter 06 - Panchächär (Five Codes of Conduct)
ATUH fH 31, ruft af frufth. आयरणं आयारो, इअ एसो पंचहा भणिओ.
पंचाचार के अतिचार
Nänammi Dansanammi A Charanammi Tavammi
Tahay Viriyammi . Äyaranam Äyäro Ea Eso Panchahä Bhanio
. . --- Panchächär Sutra
Knowledge, faith, conduct, austerities and vigor constitute the fivefold code of conduct Religion has two major aspects. One deals with the principles and the other with the practice. The latter constitutes the observance part of the religion. Observance of Jainism can again be divided in two broad headings. One part deals with the observance of the code and the other with the observance of restraints. Someone may be intrigued by the use of the term code in the realm of religion, and a code would mean the statutory code. It should, however, be remembered that every religion lays down the norms of behavior for their followers and many of them observe the same more scrupulously than they would observe the statutory stipulations. Such norms therefore constitute the code of conduct for the people concerned. When we talk of the Jain code, we mean the norms of observing the right conduct as laid down by the preceptors of Jainism. Right conduct is however only a part of the spiritual code. There are several other aspects like true knowledge and faith that form parts of the same code. The ultimate purpose of the right conduct is, after all, to gain liberation, which, in spiritual terms, is known as Moksha. The aspects mentioned above are also meant to further that very end and are conducive to the attainment of the said objective. In this connection, Acharya Umäsväti stated in Tattvärtha-Sutra:
सम्यग्दर्शनज्ञानचारित्राणिमोक्षमार्गः
Arrarte (1-1)
Samyag-darshan-inän-chäriträni Mokshamärgah' It means that Samyag-darshan, Samyag-inän and Samyag-chäritra constitute the path of liberation. Samyag means right, correct, rational or proper. Darshan stands for conviction or faith, Jnän for knowledge and Charitra for conduct. The combination of those three aspects leads to liberation. Since code, in Jain terminology, stands for Achär, these three aspects are termed as Darshanächär, Jnänächär and Chariträchär. They are thus the basic constituents of Jain code. There are two other aspects that pertain to observance of austerities and exerting of vigor (energy). Strictly speaking, they form parts of Chariträchär. Being, however, very significant to Jainism, they are traditionally treated as separate parts of the code and are named as Tapächär and Viryächär. Thus, Darshanächär, Jnänächär, Chäriträchär, Tapächär and Viryächär constitute the fivefold Jain code and are together known as Panchächär. Panchächär (Five Codes of Conduct)
Jnänächär Code of Acquiring Right Knowledge Darshanächär Code of Gaining Right Faith Chariträchär Code of Acquiring Right Conduct Tapächär Code of Acquiring Right Austerities Viryächär Code of Exercising Right Vigor or Vitality
(great physical or mental strength and energy)