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Chapter 2: Characteristics of Sectarians
Chapter 2 Characteristics of Sectarians (Matärthis)
There are different viewpoints from which an object or situation can be presented. When it is presented from one particular viewpoint, it is called Nay(R). Jainism lays down seven categories of Nay, which can be broadly classified into two categories, (1) absolute viewpoint known as Nishchay Nay, and (2) practical or worldly viewpoint known as Vyavahär Nay. When an object is described in its original unadulteraded form, it is Nishchay Nay. The soul, in its true form, is pure, unadulterated, blissful consciousness; it is full of happiness, knowledge, perception, etc. To describe it that way is Nishchay Nay. The worldly soul is, however, found in unhappy and ignorant state. To describe it in that form, to state that the soul is smeared with Karma, is Vyavahär Nay.
Both of these viewpoints are correct in their own context and should therefore be taken into consideration for reaching the right conclusion. If one adopts only the absolute viewpoint, he would come to the conclusion that soul is immutable and incorruptible. As such, he would tend to believe that devotion, detachment, restraints, etc. are of no avail and would therefore give them up. Resorting to the absolute viewpoint to the exclusion of the practical or worldly viewpoint thus leads to an illusive conclusion. The term for this illusive impression is Abhäs. Exclusively resorting to the absolute viewpoint is therefore not Nishchay Nay; it is Nishchayäbhäs, meaning illusory absolute viewpoint. Similarly, only considering the practical viewpoint to the exclusion of the absolute viewpoint is not Vyavahär Nay, it is Vyavahäräbhäs.
Lifeless ritualists and bare knowledgeable people were described in the last chapter. A lifeless ritualist insists
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