ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

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

Page 322

Mokşamārga-gati
Path of emancipation
Samyaktva Parākrama Right exertion
Tapomārga
Austerities
Caranavidhi
Conduct
Apramādasthāna
Causes of negligence
Karma-prakrti
Karma theory
Lesyā
Colouring of the soul
Anāgāramārga
Asceticism
Jīvājīva-vibhakti
Description of soul and matter
Essence of Uttarādhyayana-sūtra as revealed by Mahāvīra Philosophy of Mahāvīra is the wisdom of the self, the inner, pure transcendental self. Metaphysics (Tattava Mimānsā) enables us to develop faith in it, epistemology (Jñāna Mimāńsā) imparts its knowledge and ethics (Ācāra Mīmāńsā) inspires the aspirants to nurture spirituality and take to the prescribed rituals for self-realization and perfection. Faith, knowledge and practice-together they lead the aspirant on the pathway of emancipation. Ethics is the practice for highest good, through metaphysics one believes in the transcendental and knows very well the limitations of the senses, the basis of metaphysics is the Epistemology i.e. revelations of the all-knowing omniscient tīrthamkara / Arhat. When the three together are blended in spirituality, they serve the purpose of enlightenment. Thus Spirituality is for the God in man and ethics is for the man in Society and Uttarādhyayanasūtra serves both these purposes. Mahāvīra experienced this spirituality, practiced the ethics thereupon became omniscient and enlightened and lastly revealed the truth; hence his philosophy of Anekānta (multiplicity of viewpoints) and his religion of Ahimsā (non-violence) are universal and for all times and for all people.
The social evils like slavery, Casteism, animal sacrifices etc that were there in the society at the time of Lord Mahāvīra, too have been addressed in the Uttarādhyayana-sūtra. One can see the influence of Mahāvīra and the Śramanic thought on the social, political and also on the philosophical schools of that time. So many verses that appear in the Uttarādhyayanasūtra can be traced in the Mahābhārata, Bhagavadgitā, Manusmrti, Dhammapada etc. The
STUDY NOTES version 5.0
Page 309 of 385