Book Title: Confluence of Opposites
Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain

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Page 278
________________ 260 SOME ANCIENT AND EXTINCT FAITHS the practical point of view the (vynvahâra) the belief in the doctrine of the Tirthamkaras, is Right Faith, the knowledge of the Tattvas, as taught in the Jaina . Scriptures, Right Knowledge, and the observance of of the rules of conduct prescribed for the layınan and the monk, Right Conduct ; but in reality the soul being its own God, is itself an embodiment of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct, Mr. S. C. Ghoshal writes in his commentary on the Dravya Sangraha, just referred to, "Perfect faith, perfect knowledge and perfect conduct are the cause of liberation from the ordinary point of view; while really the soul itself possessed of thege three is the cause of liberation” (SBJ. vol. i. p. 110). This is the reason why a self-conscious soul may justly maintain of itsell, “ I am the way, the truth and the life." The order in which these three attributes are mention. ed is also full of significance ; for they are always mertioned in this very order in the Jaina Books. This significance appears sufficiently clearly from Mr. J. L. Jainis' translation of the Tattvartha Sutra, which constitutes the 2nd volume of the Sacred Books of the Jainas series. “Of these three, right belief is the basis upon which the other two rest. It is an essential preliminary to right knowledge. It is the cause and right knowledge is the effect. Right knowledge always implies it. Similarly right conduct is preceded and caused by right knowledge, Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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