$JES 901 Jainism and Spiritual Awakening E9

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

Page 76

12 - JAIN PATH OF LIBERATION
It is important to note that these qualities are internal. The person himself can introspect and know whether these are present or not. Others will not be able to decide.
Right Conviction and Right Knowledge together provide a proper understanding towards valid discrimination between what is worthy of rejection and what is worthy of acceptance, which is called Vivek or Bhed Jnän. This stage of spirituality is called realization of truth or self-realization known as Samyaktva (4th spiritual stage Gunasthänak).
Samyak-Chäritra - Spiritual Stages (Gunasthänak) The realization of truth or Samyaktva leads a person to practice Right Conduct. Right conduct places a great emphasis on nonviolence (Ahimsa), compassion, truthfulness, non-stealing, pluralism of views (Anekäntaväda or Syädväda), non-possession (Aparigraha) or limitation of possessions and non-possessiveness self-purification, self-control, austerity, asceticism, penance, yoga and meditation, as the means of attaining liberation. Various spiritual stages exist in practicing the Right Conduct. Householders follow initial stages, and ascetics follow advanced stages and ultimately attain liberation. In the beginning, every living being is at the spiritual stage known as Mithyätva (1st stage of Gunasthänak). On the path of spiritual progress, a person after acquiring proper knowledge of soul, matter and karma, destroys Faith Deluding (Darshan Mohaniya) karma first and attains Right Conviction or Faith. At that moment, his acquired knowledge is known as Right Knowledge because he has developed the unshakeable trust in his knowledge. This does not mean that he acquires all knowledge. This stage is known as the attainment of Samyaktva (4th stage of Gunasthänak).
The person then gradually destroys Conduct Deluding karma (Charitra Mohaniya karma) through the progressive manifestations of the soul's innate faculties of Right Conduct.
First, one adopts the twelve vows of conduct of laypeople for selfcontrol (5th stage of Gunasthänak) and then gradually progresses towards the renunciation of worldly life and becomes an ascetic (6th and 7th stage). As an ascetic, one follows the five great vows and
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