Compendium of Jainism

Author(s): T K Tukol, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Prasaranga Karnatak University Dharwar

Page 82

COMPENDIUM OF JAINISM
destroyed the four destructive karmas. From a realistic point of view, an Arhat is without a body; but from the popular point of view, we speak of him as possessed of a lustrous body.
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When we meditate upon the Siddha, we meditate upon the soul which is without a body produced by eight kinds of karmas; he is the seer and knower of Loka and Aloka and he stays at the summit of the Universe. The Siddha is without a body and cannot therefore be perceived by the senses. His shadowy shape resembles a human figure. The summit of Lokākāśa where he stays is called Siddha-silā. According to Jainism, a Siddha has knowledge of everything in the Lokākāśa and Alokākāśa which existed in the past, exists in the present and will exist in the future. These Siddhas have to be distinguished from the ordinary Sadhus who are supposed to possess some miraculous powers.
The Acarya who is to be meditated upon is one who practises five kinds of conduct. The five Acaras are Darsanācāra Jñānācāra, Cäritrācāra, Tapācāra and Viryācāra. Darśanācāra consists in cultivating faith in the soul which consists of Supreme Consciousness and is the only thing to be meditated Jñānācāra consists in upon as it is separate from the body. developing knowledge that the soul is pure and perfect, and that it has nothing to do with attachment, delusion, or aversion. Căritrācāra consists in moulding one's own conduct by freeing it from all kinds of attachments and other disturbing factors so that the mind can have the necessary calm and tranquility for peaceful contemplation on the nature of soul. Tapācāra is practising various kinds of penances and austerities so as to enable the soul to attain its true nature. Viryācāra consits in the development of one's own power or inherent strength of all the mental faculties so that the soul feels no hindrance in selfrealization. An Acarya who preaches and practises these qaulities is worthy of respect and veneration.
Upadhyaya or a teacher is one who is possessed of the three Jewels and is ever engaged in preaching the tenets of religion.