ISJS Transactions 2018 07 To 09 Vol 02 No 03

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

Page 31

eventually abides in the selt for longer period of time, that is called samyak-caritra, without knowing the self (samyak-darśana), one cannot free from attachments of worldly things/beings hence cannot proceed for samyak-cäritra. Mere information does not lead to liberation (moksa) and thus, it can be said that his knowledge is of no use." He may be wellversed in scriptural knowledge, but his cycle of births and deaths will continue.20
Ācārya Kundakunda compares samyak-darśana with pure water. He preaches that like a stream of water washes away all dirts, samyak-darsana also purifies soul from bad karmas. Samyak-drsti may be involved in worldly activities and responsibilities but influx of karmas are very limited because of samyak-darsana. Furthermore, Kundakunda says that it is samyak-darśana by which knowledge becomes pure (samyak-jñāna), and with right knowledge one can discriminate good and bad for the soul and it helps to remain steadfast in moksa mārga.22 Ācārya Pujyapāda says that it is true that right conduct is the direct means of liberation, but right conduct with right faith and right knowledge only can lead to liberation24
Samyak-darśana: First step towards Liberation
Faith (samyak-darśana) marks the start of the journey towards the ultimate goal. Right faith acts like a pilot in mokṣa mārga," it indicates that the right conduct will follow soon. This text says that a householder with right faith is better than a monk without it. Faith has been praised as a great moral virtue for all spiritual progress by all sects of Indian culture. In Jain scriptures, it says that virati means conduct is fruit of knowledge. Without right knowledge, it is impossible to have right conduct; and for right knowledge, right perception is required. Jain saint Pandita Daulatram says that samyak-darśana is the first step towards liberation (mokşa) and without it, knowledge and conduct are wrong (mithyā) and will not lead to liberation (nirvāna). Right faith precedes right conduct. Without right faith (samyak-darśana) no religious conduct or scriptures' knowledge would be right. Ācārya Kundakunda preaches the same thing elaborately that it is possible to stay on mokṣa mārga if one slips from right conduct, but it is not possible to stay on mokṣa mārga if one slips from right faith/knowledge. In short, He conveys that without samyak-darśana, samyak-căritra is not at all possible." After gaining right faith, one needs to aspire for right knowledge, though right faith and right knowledge emerge simultaneously on the removal of mithyātva. Without knowledge, there is no virtuous conduct.
24 ISJS-Transactions, Vol.2, No.3, Jul-Sep, 2018
Samyak-căritra is not only following certain rules or changing clothes, but it mainly focuses on how long one can stay absorbed/ tuned to one's own self. Samyak-darśana clears the belief about bliss and happiness. Mithyā-drsti, because of wrong deluded view, believes that happiness lies outside, so for him/her there is no strong purpose to turn within. Thus, first belief changing is utmost necessary for spiritual advancement on the path of liberation called moksa mārga. If one is able to change his/her belief, then cäritra or right conduct becomes very easy
Many Jain saints have told that samyak-darśana is before samyak-căritra, and for samyakdarśana, contemplation of fundamental truths are necessary. With the right contemplation on the nature of the Self comes the knowledge of one's Self and by such knowledge the soul's deep-rooted infatuation and ignorance are removed and the soul attains Salvation."