ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 277

Also Samantbhadra has described the characteristics of Right Knowledge as under:
That which reveals the nature of things / substances /elements neither insufficiently, nor with aggression nor perversely but exactly as it is as they are and with certainty, that the knower of scriptures call Right Knowledge. Based on this definition the adage -"Be wise, do not be over wise, do not be under wise and do not be otherwise", is prevalent in ethics.
The Third Jewel of the right path to liberation is observing of Right Conduct and it has been described by Samantbhadra as under:
To whom Right Knowledge has accrued by virtue of the acquisition of right faith on the destruction of Right Faith on the destruction of the darkness of faith - obstructing infatuation that excellent soul begins to practice the rules of Right Conduct to get rid of personal likes-dislikes (attachmentaversion) that is to attain to the state of desirelessness.
From above discussion it is very clear that the attainment of perfection is the culmination of a gradual course of self-absorption, which needs to be followed step by step. The preceptors have therefore, divided the pathway into fourteen stages each of which represents a particular state of development, partial elimination of natural traits and qualities. These fourteen stages of spiritual purification are called "Gu asth nas" and are as under:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Mithy tva
S s dana
Mi ra
Avirat Samyagd ti
De a- Virata
Pramatta Virat
Apramatta virata
Ap rva Kara a
Anivritti Kara a
10. Suk ma Samparaya
11. Upa nta Moha
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Perverse belief, wrong faith, gross ignorance
A momentary psychic state of soul in the process of falling from the right faith prior to touching false faith
Mixed feeling, hovering between certainty & doubt
Vow less true believer. This stage arises when faith deluding and the interest type of conduct deluding karmas are wholly or partially subdued or destroyed.
A true believer observing A uvratas, small vows. This arises when the intense passion (conduct deluding) is also subdued or destroyed. This is a votary householder's stage.
A stage of possession less, occupation less and homeless naked monk observing complete conduct with slightly imperfect vows. This arises when the Praty khy n vara a Prakriti is also subdued partially. The mild passion 'Samjwalan' is in operation.
A stage of perfect observance of vows of a true monk with real right conducts of self absorption but with slow rate.
A true monk with excessively increasing purity of thoughts with ascending ladder of perfect conduct and pure meditation. The 'Samjwalana' mild passion being in subduing or vanishing state.
A true monk in highly advanced state of pure thought activity than the preceding one.
A true monk in a very high spirituality advanced state than the preceding one with the slightest 'Samjwalana' greed passion which is also fully under control and remains to be eradicated in this stage.
Subsidence of delusion. A true monk touches this stage then only when he ascends by 'upa ama reni' (subsided ladder or flight of step) after 7th gu asth na This stage arises from the total subsidence of 'Mohaniya Karma', for a while and he falls back certainly due to rise of deluding
STUDY NOTES version 4.0