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The fourth lesson of this chapter, while detailing freedom from equipment, also provides details about clad and unclad. Ascetics are of four types—(1) clad in three clothes, (2) clad in two clothes, (3) clad in single clothe, and (4) unclad. All these are followers of the tenets of the Jina. This basic mantra of Anekanta (nonabsolutism or relativity of truth) is mentioned in this lesson. In the last five (fourth to eighth) lessons of this chapter there is the description of the unique process of meditational death in context of freedom from body. The commentators (Niryukti and Tika) inform that during Bhagavan Mahavir's time there were many religious organizations whose philosophy and code of conduct were simpler and more convenient as compared to those of nirgranths (Jain ascetics). Driven by desire for pleasures and comforts, a newly initiated and less knowledgeable ascetic could easily be attracted towards those groups. That is why a closer contact and association with them is detrimental. Such leanings of devout ascetics could lead to nonconformity. Therefore this topic has been discussed in detail in the first lesson.
विमोक्ष : अष्टम अध्ययन
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Vimoksha : Eight Chapter
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