Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 50

The Path of Liberation : 43
In Jainism the (right) knowledge is that which helps to understand the reality, controls the mind and purifies the soul. It is through the (right) knowledge that the ties of attachment are severed, interest in the ultimate goal is developed and the feelings of universal friendship are strengthened.
Relationship between Right faith, Right knowledge and Right Conduct : Among the Jaina thinkers there is no controversy about the order of these three constituents of the path of liberation. The priority of view-point over knowledge and conduct is generally accepted. The Jaina scriptures point out that right-conduct and right-knowledge are impossible in the absence of right-view-point. Acārya Kundakunda mentions – Sammattavirahiyā nam, sutthu vi uggaṁ tavam carantānam Na lahanti bohilaham, avi vāsasahassakodihis. Dassanabhatthā bhatthā, damsanabhatthassa natthi niwānas. Sijjhanti cariyabhatthā, daṁsanabhattha na sijjhanti.
(Daṁsaņapānuda, 5.3) Those persons who are devoid of right faith will not obtain right knowledge, even if they practise severe penance for a thousand crores of years.
Those who have fallen from right faith are deprived of liberation. Those who have fallen from right conduct may attain liberation but those who have fallen from right faith have no chance.
Acārya Bhadrabāhu in Acārānga Niryukti ( 221 ) also presents the same view. He says that in the penance, knowledge and action attain their fruition through right attitude.
We must also remember that this priority of attitude or faith (darśana ) is not an exclusive one, to cultivate right viewpoint for supression or elimination of extreme type of passions, technically known as 'anantānubandhi kaşāya' is essential; thus