ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 01

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 76

SCHOOL
OF
SELF STUDY IS THE
SUPREME AUSTERITY
स्वाध्याय
परमे
(ii) Dhammo mangalamukkittham, ahimsa samjamo tavo;
Deva vi tam namamsamti, jassa dhamme saya mano/Daśavaikälika-sutra, verse 1.1
enjoy its nature of eternal bliss and infinite knowledge. Even though his teachings are for spiritual beneficence, yet they are equally beneficial to improve our worldly existence as well. Well known Jain preceptor of 6th century AD Samantabhadra2, described his doctrine as 'Sarvodaya tirtha or for the enlightenment of all living beings'.
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
राप
His metaphysical doctrine talks of all existents being real and they are accompanied by the trio of orgination-destruction-permanence simultaneopusly. Further the existents are divided in two categories3 namely living beings (jīva) with consciousness and non living beings (ajiva) without consciousness. Living beings are classified in six categories4, based on the type of body and number of sense organs they have. Air, water, fire, earth and plantation having one sense organ, namely touch, are classified as of stationery class (sthāvara) and the rest are classified tras or which can move and are with two to five senses organs and mind. (Living being or soul) never dies; it changes body it owns on death i.e. gets new body by shedding the old one depending upon its karmas. Eternal happiness (Bliss) and infinite knowledge is the nature of all living beings. Matter (pudgala) is the main non living being which is conceptual as cognition of the world by us is due to its existence. Time (kāla), Space (ākāśa), principles of motion and rest are the other non conceptual non living beings. Loka or cosmos is eternal from time perspective (i.e. was, is and will always be there); it is of limited size and definite shape and surrounded by Aloka or trans-cosmic, has not been created by anyone and cannot be destroyed by anyone but transforms continuously; and is inhabited by all types of beings.
2.1 Non violence, restraint, Self effort / penance or austerityThat which is non-violence, selfrestraint and austerity is Dharma (spiritual values). It is by virtue of spiritual values that supreme spiritual beneficence results. To him whose mind is (absorbed) in spiritual values, even gods pay homage. 5
2 O Lord! Your Tirtha is all inclusive, is based on relativity of viewpoints and the eliminator of all pains. Hence it is The Sarvodaya Tirtha or the Creed for the enlightenment of all. Yuktyānusāsana/61
3 Jīvaṁajīvaṁ davvaṁ...... Dravya-Saṁgraha verse 1 by Ac. Nemicandra
Acārānga Sutra, Chapter 1 called knowledge of the weapons (Sastra-parijñā).
5 (1) Samanasuttaṁ 82:
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