$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

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

Page 156

CONDUCT
By practicing these codes of conduct, one can lessen the load of Jnänävaraniya Karma and thus manifest the inherent knowledge the soul possesses. If these codes of conduct are not observed, not only will our efforts to gain knowledge be futile, but we will bind more Jnänävaraniya karma to the soul and prevent us from gaining knowledge in the future.
2. Darshanächär (Code of conduct related to Right Faith)
C06 - Panchächär: Five Codes of Conduct
-- Panchächär Sutra
Doubtlessness, absence of expectation, unflinching faith, not being unduly influenced, adoration and encouragement, stabilization, affection, and creating favorable impressions constitute the eightfold code of right faith.
Nissankia Nikkankhia Nivvitigichchhä Amoodh-ditthia Uvavooha Thirikarane Vachchhal Pabhävane Attha
Darshan means belief, faith, conviction, and realization. These four epithets actually convey an hierarchy. When a person acquires some knowledge, they tend to believe it. Thus, knowledge and belief go hand in hand. Then, one has to gain faith. For instance, we know from books or teachers that the soul is everlasting, and we try to believe that. However, as long as we are not truly convinced, our faith in the everlasting soul is not really there. For gaining conviction, we first have to have faith in the concept and then contemplate and ponder over it. After true conviction, we gain self-realization. Such realization is true Samyag-darshan.
Uvavooha
Sthirikaran
Vatsalya Prabhävanä
The code that lays down the method of gaining right faith is known as Darshanächär. The eight aspects of Darshanächär are:
Nissankia
Nikkankhia
Nirvichikitsä
Amoodha-drashti
Staying above all doubts Absence of expectations
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Unflinching faith
Not to be influenced or swayed by glamorous shows of any faith
Adoration and encouragement
Stabilizing the faith of others
Affection for coreligionists
Raising the esteem for the true faith
Of these eight aspects, the first one, which denotes the conviction, is of utmost importance. The remaining seven, which are helpful in raising the intensity of conviction, can be considered supplemental. This has been discussed in the chapter "Ratna-trayi Moksha Märg" (three fold path of liberation). These eight aspects are vital to attainment of the right perception or Samyaktva. It is impossible to have proper insight without gaining right perception.
3. Chäriträchär (Code of conduct related to acquiring Right Conduct)
The next step in our journey towards liberation is putting in practice what we have learned through true knowledge and the right faith. Living a life in accordance with the right knowledge and right faith is Chäriträchär. Tirthankar Bhagawän has recommended different codes of conduct for Sädhus and Sädhvis and for lay people. Codes of conduct prescribed for Sädhus and Sädhvis are mandatory and absolute. Since lay people have to carry out worldly chores and obligations, they are bound to commit certain mundane sins, which will be in violation of the absolute practice of Chäriträchär. Therefore, Tirthankar Bhagawän has recommended that lay people remain vigilant to the best of their ability at all times in following the codes of Chäriträchär.
Chäriträchär prescribed for lay people may be categorized in three broad categories: Observation of 12 vows, observation of five categories of carefulness in daily activities (Samiti), and observation of
Compendium of Jainism - 2015