Introduction to Jaina Sadhna

Author(s): Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 80

Code of Conduct for a Jaina Monk : 73
(ii) middle and (iii) higher. The self which possesses the rightvision or attitude but does not observe right-conduct is considered a lower introvert self. One which possesses the rightvision and also partially observes right-conduct is called middle introvert self. The self which possesses the perfect right-vision and observes the perfect right-conduct is called a higher introvert self. The soul belonging to the fourth gunasthāna is called lower introvert self. The soul belonging to the fifth or the sixth stage of guṇasthāna is called middle introvert self and the soul belonging to the seventh to twelfth gunasthāna is called higher introvert self.
3. The Transcendental Self ( paramātmā): The self, which is completely free from all sorts of impurities and passions such as aversion, attachment, pride, anger, deceit, greed, sexual desire and other sub-passions and which annihilates four types of destructive karmas, that obscures the real nature of self, is called transcendental self or paramātmā. According to Jaina tradition this type of self possesses four infinities, i.e., infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bliss and infinite power. There are two categories of transcendental Self-(i) Arhatas and (ii) Siddhas. So long as the four types of non-destructive Karmas of transcendental self are not fully exhausted, the self remains in a physical body. It is called Arhat or Jivana-mukta. For an Arhata is completely free from all types of impurities and defects, yet he is not free from his physical body, his soul is confined to his body. He works for the emancipation of worldly beings from their sufferings and preaches the truth to the world.
But when these four types of non-destructive Karmas are fully exhausted the soul of Arhat leaves this physical body and becomes Siddha or Videha-mukta. The perfect soul of