Aspect of Jainology Part 1 Lala Harjas Rai

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Shodhpith Varanasi

Page 40

CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF 'TRIRATNA'
IDEAL OF JAINISM
Dr. L. K. L. Srivastava, Ballia
Jainism, as we know, is famous for its ethical teachings being consequent upon the attainment of liberation. A kevalin (liberated one). free from all 'ghātin' karmas, enjoys infinite bliss, knowledge, faith and power. In order to attain liberation, Jainism lays down certain disciplines. The very first Sūtra of 'Tattvārthasūtra' suggests right faith, right knowledge and right conduct together as path to liberation. These are known as three jewels (triratna) in Jainism,
Now, the belief in the padārthas* (tattvas) such as soul etc. is right faith or intuition. 'Faith in the predicaments is right intuition.'8 To elaborate it another definition follows: 'Acquiescence in the predicaments declared by a jaina is called right faith, it is produced either by natural character or by the guru's instruction.'4 This right vision appears to be eight fold viz. (a) nisankatā (b) niḥkāņkşită (c) nirvicikitsa (d) amūdhadşşți (e) upabphana (f) sthitikaraņa (g) vātsalya (h) prabhāvanā. Right knowledge is the knowledge of the predicaments and c., according to their real nature, undisturbed by any illusion or doubt. "That knowledge which embraces concisely or in detail the predicaments as they actually are is called right knowledge by the wise , 5 This knowledge is said to be five fold viz. (a) mati (b) śruta (c) avadhi (d) manahparyāya (e) kevala. Right conduct is the abstaning from all act tending to evil courses by one who possesses faith and knowledge. Right conduct is described as the entire relinquishment of blamable impulses.
1. Samyagadarsanajñāna Cāritāṇi mokṣa mārgah, cf. T. S. I/1. 2. Jainism recognizes the following tattvas viz. soul, non-soul, inflow,
bondage, stoppage, shedding of karmic matter and liberation; Ibid 1/4.
Ibid. 4. Cf. 'The Sarvadarśanasamgraha' by Madhavacarya, The Chowkhamba
Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi 1961 p. 46. 5. CF. T. S. 1/9 also cf. Svaparāntaram jānātiyaḥ sah jānāti- Istopadesh-33. 6. Cf. 'Samayasāra,' IV/155 also cf. S. D. S. by Madhacarya, pp. 47-48.