Book Title: Gandhi And Jainism
Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

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Page 253
________________ and intends to attain the pure soul state (the living being in this state is called Samyakdrsti or with right belief or spiritually awakened) and Supreme Soul (the self is completely detached from external impurities in this state). In Supreme soul state, human beings attain bliss and pure knowledge and are in a state of enjoying the inherent nature of soul. Such human beings are called Jina or sthitpragya in The Gita as explained by Gandhi. On death such souls get liberated from all material associations and attain Moksa or eternal state of bliss and knowledge. These three states of soul are perhaps the basis of proclamations like "Truth is God" by Gandhi, or "Kingdom of God is Within You" by Tolstoy. The path to attain the state of perfection i.e. state of eternal bliss and knowledge or pure soul comprises right belief-knowledge-conduct together. The Meaning of Spiritual Awakening / Samyagdarshan The pronouncement of the Acharanga that the ignorant are asleep and the wise are awake inspires us to be aware of the highest in us, which is our Real Nature (TRUTH). In Jain terminology we may say that this is tantamount to achieving Samyagdarshan (Spiritual Awakening) or right belief / attitude or eliminating delusion. When we are asleep we are in the state of spiritual perversion." Jainism regards spiritual awakening as the beginning of the spiritual pilgrimage, and it is the foundation of the magnificent edifice of liberation. Value or rational knowledge and ethicospiritual conduct is acquired through spiritual awakening.10 The spiritually awakened self considers one's own self as a genuine abode and regards the outward dwelling places as artificial. This awakened soul renounces all identification with the animate and inanimate objects of the world, and properly weighs them in the balance of their awakened spirit. Thus they develop a unique attitude towards their self and the world around them. There are certain individual and social characteristics that accompany Samyagdarshan (spiritual awakening) and the same 11 can be classified as individual and attitude towards others. The Pg.230| Gandhi & Jainism

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