Introduction to Jainism

Author(s): A B Latthe
Publisher: Natha Rangaji

Page 51

Jainism
out preaching truth until, when the days of deliverence approach, he takes to the third pa* rt of pure contemplation (Shukla Dhyan). Here the soul reaches every part of the universe and is yet within the body whose connection alone remains now. The last part of contemplation follows on, when the fourteenth step is ascended, the body disappears like burnt can phor. This is the Nirvan.
The going of the Soul to the pure place, called the Shidha Shila, from whence it returns not, is the Moksha. Innumerable delivered souls exist and are to be there for ages that never were begun and which never close. The Sidhha soul has eight charecteristics ( 1 ) Rightfulness (2) Absolute knowledge ( 3) Illimitable insight ( 4 ) Boundless prowess ( 5 ) Minuteness ( 6 ) Power to reach every where (7) Power to be big and small and ( 8 ) Unaffectedness. This Moksha is obtained by means of the three jewels whose acquisition is gradual through the fourteen steps of merits, described before.