________________
98
THE ENLIGHTENED VISION OF THE SELF
newness and freshness in life. Without change, life will be dull and monotonous. In fact, one can neither know nor realize the value of health unless one falls sick and one does not really experience happiness unless one has gone through hardships and misery.
Contemplation of ariya bhavana instills in us a sense of detachment, equanimity, self-reliance (prorsharth), self-restraint (saman, and control of passions (kashaya), and emotions. Contemplation on the impermanence of things makes us reflect on our inner Self, to search for the changeless reality behind the ever-changing, the quest for seeing and experiencing the real “I”, which is different from the “I” of body and senses.
The concept of paryaya is extremely important. Firstly, it helps in understanding the real nature of existence, Secondly, it forms the basis of the dynamic process of development and evolution, Thirdly, it makes possible growth and adds newness to life, Fourthly, it forms the genesis of the Jaina doctrine of anekant which reconciles the apparent contradictions between continuity and change, one and many, unity and diversity, etc. Fifthly, it signifies that the conscious substance (jira) may and does develop ribhara paryayas while retaining its innate nature (szarpa) of intrinsic purity, thereby providing the basis for self-realization, i.e. re-gaining the stabhara or the state of pure consciousness. Finally, it instills a sense of non-attachment, calmness in adverse circumstances, equanimity, self-restraint and control of desires, acquisitions and passions.
NOTES
1 Kundakunda, Acharya Praradhansara: The Spectrum of Consciousness, ed.,
by Jagdish Prasad Jain, 'Sadhak', translation by B. Faddegon (New Delhi:
Radiant Publishers, 2004), gatha 93-2 (Book II.1) (forthcoming). 2 Ibid., 95 Book II.3). 3 Umasvami (Umasavati), Tattuartha-Sutra, V.38. 4 Ibid., V.30. 5 Pravachansara, n. 1, 100 (Book II.8); see also Amrtachandra's commentary. 6 Ibid., 110 (Book II.18). 7 Siddhasen, Sarmati Ch. 1, Verse 12. 8 Pravachanasara, n. 1, 108 (Book II.16) and 106 (Book II.14).
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
