ISJS Transactions 2018 07 To 09 Vol 02 No 03

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

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easily accessible for me. More detailed information regarding guru is required for such type of misunderstandings. A guru is not a mere or just substitute for scriptural knowledge or books, just as having little knowledge of few diseases does not exclude the need for a doctor. Doctor is must for your chronic illness, treating with your over-wisdom may worsen the disease. A guru is an experienced and learned, who imparts skillful knowledge, which is very much different and unique from the books. Externally, both may appear to be the same, but the knowledge which arises from the guru's mind or say from his valuable wisdom, is pervaded with the light of his own experience or a whole lineage of his prior masters. It has the power to cleanse and transform you.
Misinterpretation of Scriptures and Misleading Guru
Sometimes one interprets scriptures as per our whims and reaches to a wrong conclusion or sometimes you meet to a false spiritual master and follow his guidance. So ultimately one may mislead. Acārya Amṛtacandra writes: "Those teachers who understands both the empirical point of view (vyavahāranaya) as well as transcendental point of view (niścayanaya), and remove the misapprehensions of the disciples by espousing the absolute as well as the relative standpoints, promulgate the teachings of the Omniscient Lord in this world." Guru is such an important existence, who explains the characteristics of right deity (right deva) and right scripture (sastra). If one comes across false guru, whose faith is not in right deva and sastra, he will surely mislead. Faith in right guru, dharma and sastra is called samyak-darśana.
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It is very important that one finds right guru, but how to find the true guru. To which Shrimad Rajchandra gives these five qualities a sadguru must possess.*
1. Atmajñāna (Enlightenment): He firmly possesses the knowledge of his self.
2. Samadarśită: He is indifferent to worldly opposites like friend and foe, pleasure and suffering, respect and humiliation.
3. Vicara Udayaprayoga: He simply continues to live only to enjoy or suffer the fruits of the actions of his past births, means his every actions is according to script of karma and not by his wish.
4. Apurva Vaņi: His speech is unique and enlightened by the knowledge of the Self. 5. Paramaśruta: He is well-versed in six fundamental truths and philosophy.
At the same time, if one interprets scriptures by his/her limited understanding; one may reach to different conclusion. Rajchandra says that, sometimes mithyātva becomes double if you want to do by your whims. It is very easy to remove delusion under proper guidance of sadguru.
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The Three Jewels | 27
Conclusion
Samyak-darśana paves the path for liberation. Though samyak-caritra is the immediate