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CHAPTER 3
PATH OF PURITY AN PEACE Question : what is the path of purity and peace? Answer: in Jainism, Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct together constitute the path of purity and Peace.
Question: What is the concept of Right faith? Answer : Right Faith is the belief in true nature of the seven Realities as they are. Right Faith consists in having belief in pure & perfect soul, passionless preceptors and compassionate religion. Seven Realities are:
1. Jiva- living being (soul) 2. Ajiva- non-living substance (Non Soul); 3. Ashrava- inflow of karmic matter into soul; 4. Bandh- bondage of karmic matter with the soul; 5. Samvara- stopOpage of inflow of karmic matter into the soul; 6. Nirjara- Gradual removal of karmic matter from the soul; 7. Moksh-Attainment of perfect freedom from karmic matter.
Question: What is the concept of Right Knowledge Answer: To know the real nature of one's soul is the Right Knowledge. Right Knowledge shall be free from doubt, perversity and indefiniteness. Right Knowledge reveals the nature of things exactly as they are and with certainty. Knowledge is considered prefect when it does not suffer from any wrong belief because wrong belief perverts both the understanding and attitude. Although both Right Faith and Right Knowledge occur simultaneously as a lamp and its light but Right Knowledge is the effect and right Faith is its cause. We gain Right Knowledge by studying the preaching of Tirthankaras.
Question: What is the concept of Right Conduct? Answer: To remain fully and firmly engrossed in the nature of one's soul is the Right Conduct. Withdrawal from the immoral conduct and devoting to the moral conduct is also the Right Conduct. Conduct becomes perfect only when it is in tune with Right Faith and Right Knowledge. Right Conduct includes the rule of discipline, which (i) restrains all movement of mind, speech and body; (ii) weakens and destroys all
