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CONFLUENCE OF OPPOSITES
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Let us pause here for a moment to ascertain the precise significance of the Biblical text "I am the way, the truth and the life" (John. xiv. 6),
It is in reality nothing but a paraphrase, or rendering in other words, that is to say, a literal translation, virtually, of the Ratna Trai (triple-jewel) of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct which, taken together, constitute the Path of Salvation according to Jainism.
The way the true, proper or Right Faith. The truth = The true, proper or Right Knowledge. The lifeThe true, proper or Right mode of living, hence Conduct.
The very first sutra of the Jaina Bible, otherwise known as the Tattvartha Sutra, teaches :
सम्यग दर्शन ज्ञानचारित्राणि भोक्ष मार्गः ॥
This means: Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct (together) constitute the path to liberation. And it is said in the 27th sloka of the Drava Sangraha (see SBJ., vol. I. p. 110):
"Because by the rule a sage gets both the causes of liberation by meditation, therefore practise meditation with careful mind."
The two causes of liberation referred to are known as vyavahara and nishchaya. Their difference is due to the standpoint from which we may approach the subject. The vyavahara is the practical point of view, while the other is the absolute or real point of view, From
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