Book Title: ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02
Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies
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without a beginning and end. No one has created it, no one can destroy it; it is there on its own merit, it simply changes every movement because “permanence with change" is its inherent nature. Each soul, in mundane existence, is having bondage of karma. Due to this bondage, the soul is suffering from different miseries in the four states of existence. It is continuously trying to ward off misery but without finding the right means, misery does not end. The root cause of all miseries and bondage are, the wrong belief about the self and non-self, perverse knowledge and ill conduct. Complete release from karmic bondage is liberation and it is attainable through adopting the right means. Right Faith/ vision, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct, the three together are the path to liberation. That which leads to liberation is Dharma in true sense. The Lord of Dharma (religion) has said - Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct are True Religion and reverse to these wrong faiths, wrong knowledge and wrong conduct augment miseries of worldly life and are "adharma". In the absence of true knowledge of self and non-self the whole of mankind is groping for happiness in the darkness of uncertainly and doubt. If knowledge is false, the belief or faith will definitely be false and vice versa. A true aspirant for liberation has to understand the nature of these substances and realities as the knowledge of which is condition precedent to right belief (insight).3
Svāmī Kārtikeya maintains that the intrinsic inherent nature of substance is 'Dharma.' Supreme forbearance, modesty etc, ten types of pure dispositions of the soul are 'Dharma! The triple jewels (right faith, right knowledge and right conduct) are 'Dharma' and protecting the life of all living beings is 'Dharma, i.e., "Non-violence is the highest religion". This is as propounded by omniscient Lord Mahāvīra 2600 years ago along with the doctrine of total detachment'
2.0 Characteristics of Omniscience As per Jainism the omniscient monks with super natural corporeal body are called
Arihantas! The omniscient souls without corporeal body are called "Siddhas! Both classes of souls are termed as true spiritual leaders (sacce deva) the adjective "true" has been used
2 Samyag-darśana-jñāna-caritrāņi mokşamārgah, Tattvārtha-sūtra'by Umāsvāmi, Verse 1.1
Ratnakaranda-śrāvakācāra by Smanatabhadra, 1411 * Dhammo vatthu sahāvo, khamadi bhavo ya dasviho dhammo-rayanattayam ca dhammo, jīvanam rakkhanam dhammo, Kartikeyānupreksă || 47611
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0
