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SAMYAK-DARSHAN:
THE CENTRAL INSIGHT OF JAINISM
Samyak-darhsan (Enlightened World-view) is described as the foundation of dharma, i.e. truth and piety or moral and spiritual discipline. It determines the choice of action, sets the proper goals and guides consciousness to attain them; it gives us focus, direction, clarity of vision, and balanced approach; it is basically an "outlook" or "orientation"; it provides dynamism, motivation, enthusiasm and commitment; and it enables us to have a "transforming vision or Weltanschauung, or something similar" as John E. Cort observes. These are all matters of supreme significance and are bound to ensure success in any field of life.
Dr. Jagdish Prasad Jain "Sadhak" President, Jain Mission, New Delhi Email: jpjain13@yahoo.com
Samyak-darhsan or samyaktva (spiritual insight) denotes enlightened attitude and equanimity and ensures peace and happiness. Peace is the state of equanimity which is devoid of mental agitation, while happiness is the state of mind signifying a sense of joy, satisfaction, contentment resulting from equanimity. A samyak-drashti remains unperturbed in favourable and unfavourable circumstances.
Samyakdarshan is defined as "tattvartha-shraddhanam," i.e. ascertaining the reality of things as is, or "That which is". Tasya-bhavas-tattvam, i.e. the nature of that (substance) is thatness (tattvam). Thus, tattvartha means ascertaining the true nature of the substances as they really are. In other words, one should understand the true nature of the self (jiva or soul) and of non-self, i.e. matter, as well as their interaction in the form of influx of negative thoughts, feelings, i.e. karmas, etc. The ascertain ment of the reality has to be objective (yatharth or yatha-artha, i.e. as it is or as it exists) and dispassionate, i.e. not coloured or guided by one's bias, prejudice or likes and dislikes.
Choice of action or decision implies responsibility and involves determination of goal or purpose along with the direction of the course of action, i.e. path. In order to have a proper, balanced, and wholesome decision, one must have the totality of picture before him and consider the problem or the situation in its multi-faceted perspective. In other words, one should have a comprehensive view of things and weigh the pros and cons of various alternatives, options and courses of action. The term "samyak" (enlightened) before "darshan" (world-view) ensures that. Nathmal Tatia has defined samyak as follows: "The world-view which sees the many and the whole is enlightened.... It avoids dogmas which inhibit free and open thought.
Jain Education International 2010_03
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JAINA
For Private & Personal Use Only
2005
One should behave with others as one would like
others to behave
with one. One should conquer attatchment and aversion and cultivate equanimity. One should curb passions. One should wish the
well being of all beings.
Extending Jain Heritage in Western Environment
139 www.jainelibrary.org
