ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 272

3.3
Omniscience Br. Hem Chand Jain
Benediction:
Mok am rgasya net ra, bhett ra karma bhubhrut Jn t ra vi va tattv na, vande tadg a labdhaye.
I bow to the leader and promulgator of the path of liberation, the destroyer of the larg of karmika impurities and the knower of the reality completely so that I mayt also realize these qualities.
1.0 Introduction
According to Jaina metaphysics, our universe is an amalgam of six kinds of substances, namely soul (Jva), matter (Pudgala), principle of motion (Dharma), principle of rest (Adharma), space (k a) and time (k la). Except soul, all the other five substances are non-souls (Aj va). Thus the whole universe consists of souls and non- souls. Souls are infinite in number, matter (Pudgalas) are infinite times more, principle of motion (Dharma), principle of rest (Adharma), space (k a) are each one in number and omnipresent while time (k la) is innumerable. The soul's distinguishing quality is consciousness, which manifests itself as knowledge and perception. Distinguishing qualities of matter are touch, taste, smell & colour. All that is visible / perceptible in universe is matter. Soul and mater are both active i.e. have the capability to act and move while the other substances are inactive and just support the actives of both souls and matter. Except matter, remaining all the five substances are non-concrete (Arupi). Space provides accommodation to all the other five substances.
Here the term 'Dharma' (religion) should not be confused with principle of motion (Dharma). "Samantabhadra" has said in Ratna Kara dakar vak c ra verse 2:
De y mi samicinam, dharmam karma nivarha am. Sa s ra dhukhatah sattava, yo dhartyuttame sukhe //2// i.e. Religion is something that takes the mundane beings out of the worldly misery and establishes them in the highest bliss. I will preach that true religion.
All the living beings in the universe want pleasure and are afraid of the pain and pangs of transmigration. Jain Trtha karas have shown the path to remove miseries and attain true happiness.
Here, one should know that everything in this universe is independent and eternal. This universe is 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.
Um Sv m writes in 'Tatty rtha-s tra':
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Samyag dar ana jn na c ritr i mok am rgah
Right Faith/ vision, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct, the three together are the path to liberation.
Declaring this to be the true religion Samantbhadra wrote in Ratna Kara dakar vak c ra as under: The Lord of Dharma (religion) has said - Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct are True Religion and reverse to these wrong faith, wrong knowledge and wrong conduct augment miseries of worldly life and are "adharma".
STUDY NOTES version 4.0