Fundamentals Of Jainism

Author(s): Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Veer Nirvan Bharti

Page 10

FUNDAMENTALS OF JAINISM
The necessity for right knowledge* cannot, therefore, be overrated. In respect of right belief also it is evident that it is essential to the utility of knowledge, since belief signifies a cessation of doubt, and also since poople only live up to their beliefs. Right conduct also is a necessary condition to the attainment of final emancipation, for no desired results are possible without the doing of the right thing at the right moment.
The subject of enquiry, or knowledge, in so far as spiritual emancipation is concerned resolucs itself into the nature of that beatific condition and of the causes which stand in the way of its attainment. These in their turn involve the nature of existing realities, or substances, and their interaction. We thus get the following seven tattvas (essentials or objects of knowledge) --
(1) Jiva (519) (intelligence or living substance), (2) Ajira (3179) (matter and other non-intelligent substances), (3) Asrara ( a) (the influx of karmic matter), 14) Bandha (974) (bondage), (5) Samvara (ar) (the stopping of a srava), (6) Nirjar â (237) (the gradual removal of karmic matter),
and (7) Mohsha (127) (the attainment of perfect freedom).
The would-be aspirant for nok sha has to understand the nature of these taitias, the knowledge of which is a condition provedent to the acquisition of that well balanced state of mind which is designated by the word belief or faith.
In this connection it is necessary to point out two of the pit-falls of philosophy into wllich almost all the non-Jaina metaphysicians have fallen unconsciously. The first one has reference to the idea of a beginning of the world process, and the second relates to the philosophy of stand-points on which the Sreatest stress has been laid by Jaina â chârpas.
*It is interesting to note in this connection that almost all the rational religions of the world also lay stress on the necessity for knowledge as a pre-requisite of moksha. Thus the "rite Jnanan na mukti' (no salvation without knowledge of the Vedas is directly confirmed by 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' (John, VIII. 32) of Jesus. and, impliedly at least by, 'he dieth not who giveth (his) life to learning' (The sayings of Muhammad) of the Prophet of Islam.