Account of Jainism

Author(s): Unknown
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 41

Jainism.
The soul sometimes falls back to the first step. On its way back, it passes the second step, called the Sasadan Step.
Until the fifth step is ascended, faith alone is right, on reaching which the soul must also guide its conduct rightly. So a man who observes either one or all of the Vows belonging to the eleven stages of laymanship, is on this - the Sanyatasanyat — step of merit.
Keeping the great Vows of the ascetics, a man rises to the sixth Step. Here the sins due to physical grossness, are alone committed by the soul.
These too disappear before the next – the Apramatta - Step is reached.
The eighth Step, as its name indicates, gives the man experience of an unique nature. Here a man increases his concentration by the Yogas and the coils of Karman are fast unloosened.
The ninth step - called the Anivrith karanmakes very small changes in the above.