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RATNATRAYA OR THE THREE JEWELS
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makes it clear that those who are devoid of conviction in the efficacy of the path have no hope of progress.
It is necessary to say a word about the precedence given to faith over knowledge. One can argue that knowledge must precede faith as otherwise faith will be blind faith and as right faith can only be based on knowledge. Though faith and knowledge might arise in a soul simultaneously, faith must precede it as it is the originator of desire to pursue knowledge. A firm conviction is an incentive for pursuit of knowledge. Faith itself implies a desire for removal of doubts and other illusory factors that disturb the mental equillibrium of the individual. It gives a direction and meaning to to acquisition of knowledge and moulds the conduct.
If we consider the meaning and content of the three-fold path from the point of reality (niscaya-naya), we must admit that the omniscient soul itself is possessed of all the attributes. Such pure and perfect soul is free from Karmic bondage and is untouched by any impurity of physical matter. The soul is all blissful and free from all vibratory activities. The pure soul itself is right knowledge. An individual's right faith and right conduct are centred in such soul. Such a soul is also the object of contemplation and selfabsorption.2
The pure soul is omniscient and hence is able to visualise the mysteries of the universe and fundamental truths that guide the course of life. All the scriptures are based on what was expounded by the omniscient Tirthankaras. Unless a living being makes these scriptures the basis of life and conduct, there can be no real happiness. That is why it is said that the three jewels are, from the point of reality, centred in the pure soul itself.
In every day life, a person who wants to acquire wealth by serving a king, must believe in him, know his powers and wealth, and conduct himself in such a way during the course of his entire service as will help him in the realization of his worldly object. So in reality, the pure soul should be known to be the king, should be fully believed in as the embodiment of the attributes of all
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