Concept of Divinity in Jainism

Author(s): P Ajay Kothari
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 76

stands for the aspirant who is destined to merge in the Nibbana, divinity. He alienates himself from the 'way of the samsara' and puts himself on the first stage of the path of Nibbana. He is free from the delusion of the eternity of the self, 'Pancakkandhas'; free from the idea of the efficacy of ritualistic actions as well as of austerities and free from doubts (vichikiccha). A person who attains this stage is a noble one (arya). His position is higher than any highest worldly position. Lord Buddha says: "The reward of the first step in holiness is better than the sole sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven, and better than lordship over all worlds". He is the practitioner of divinity.
2. The Stage of Sakadagamin: At this stage, an aspirant learns to weaken the passions, e.g., sensual dust (kama) and anger (patiga). He who has got into the stream of peace, step by step, overcomes sensuality, malice and delusion of mind which prevents the discernment of truth, is called sakadagamin" (once retu ner). The subtle desires lurking in the mind bring him back to the world for once. There exists little or subtle tanha, he will attain the Nibbana in the next birth. Sakadagamin is the practioner of divinity.
3. The Stage of Anagamin: After having successfully outgrown the first two stages, the disciple qualifies himself to the third stage of anagamin.. A person free from sensuality and malice, is called non-returner (anagamin). He does not come back to the world of man (Manusayya) in future. In this stage, he is not entirely free from the craving for the worlds with form and without form, pride, mental instability, and ignorance of true nature of things; yet there is no chance of falling back. He takes birth spontaneously in the pure abode, than to pass away, destined never to return thence.70 When the mental fetters of anagamin are annihilated, he becomes an Arhat. An anagamin will certainly become divine.
4. The Stage of Arhat: The result of the practice of sila, samadhi and panna by an aspirant, is the arhathood. Herein all
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THE CONCEPT OF DIVINITY IN JAINISM