Jain Digest 2008 07

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

Page 17

the time. The resulting emotions of anger, arrogance, further. Brighter this light, faster one ascends spiritually. deception, greed, etc. keep adding additional layers of this light of Samyag Darshan has been classified in 3 karmic particles on the soul. Under this condition, the states: (1) Aupashamik Samyaktva (2) Kshäyopashamik knowledge acquired or religious activities such as temple Samyaktva (3) Kshayik Samyaktva. When the soul worship, rituals, charity, fasting etc. performed remain at suppresses his mohaniya Karmas but does not destroy the superficial level and does not contribute much to the them, he is considered to have acquired Aupashamik spiritual advancement. Unfortunately, most of the human Samyaktva, meaning he has been able to change his souls remain in this stage during their entire life span external behavior but he is on a shaky ground because the without being even aware of their deluded condition. Mohaniya Karmas are still dormant and could over-power Journey from Mithyatva (First Gunsthanak) to Samvay him at any time and slide him back. Darshan (Fourth Gunsthanak)
Kshayik Samyaktva at the other end of the spectrum At the very early stage, humility, open mindedness
-only possible in human life-represents a state of soul and receptivity to religious concepts are a must. Deep
where the Darshan Mohaniya Karmas are totally destroyed respect and faith in the preacher as well as his message,
and the soul moves faster towards the goal of reaching and overcoming infinitely lasting emotions/defilements
the emancipation (121h Gunsthanak). According to Jain (Anantänubandhi Kashäyas) are also other required scriptures, King Shr
scriptures, King Shrenik had achieved Kshayik Samyaktva prerequisites. Without these ingredients, no spark can
during his life time. He is destined to be one of the ignite. Taking the example of Naysar, we can observe that
tirthankaras in the future era, after destroying his remaining being a son of a wood cutter, in all probability he did not karmic particles. The 2 state-Kshayopashamik is a mixed have much scriptural knowledge at his first encounter with and wavering state, falling somewhere in the middle of the the wandering Jain monks but must have possessed these spectrum. At the 4th gunsthanak the soul could be in any important virtues- most likely as a result of his spiritual of the first two states (rarely in the third state)-alternating progress in the previous lives. He displayed profound
od back and forth for many years and then either moving up humility and respect towards the monks, listened to their the spiritual ladder or falling back to the first gunsthanak sermon with a pure heart, experienced an inner change and depending upon his will power and motivation. the lightening of Samyag Darshan struck-the lightening When a person starts making spiritual progress in that guided him until he became Lord Mahavir after only the 4th stage, his behavior patterns show a remarkable 26 more births. His innocence and pure feelings (Bhava's) change. He starts differentiating between body and soul proved to be an excellent fertile ground for the spiritual (iva and ajiva), becoming more introspective, staying seed only to blossom into a full blown tree in Mahavir's close to his true self, showing deep interest in the spiritual life. Although he did not realize the full potential until matters, and begins acquiring more knowledge. As he he became Mahavir, his first step was a turning point. ponders over the newly acquired knowledge, he changes Naysar's example proves that even when one gets a his priorities, becomes detached from the superficial glimpse of Samyag Darshan for a short duration, he starts worldly life and begins moving away from it. He starts the beginning of an end of the journey from that auspicious developing equanimity and stops reacting to the pleasant moment.
as well as unpleasant situations. He becomes a different Samvag Darshan is the beginning of spiritual person because he lives like a lotus-staying in the world awakening but achieving liberation is a long drawn out but untouched by its dirty aspects. process for most souls and requires Samyag Darshan and Jain masters have said that the person who possesses Samyag Jnän to be implemented into Samyag Charitra in Samyaktva will exhibit the following attributes (virtues) the a perfect form. Even after the lightening strikes, the soul degree of which will depend upon his spiritual progress: goes through twists and turns along the way, advancing
a. Upsham: Lessened intensity of the destructive sometimes and retracting at other times. The soul may
emotions of anger, arrogance, deception, greed and related ascend spiritually from the first to the fourth gunasthank other passions. AND development of divine virtues but may fall back. The soul loops around under the primary
such as forgiveness, humility, honesty, & contentment, influence of Mithyatva Moyaniya Karmas for many births equanimity (subdued reactions to life's problems), pe but the power of Samyag Darshan-acquired earlier and his
and tranquility. own self efforts-eventually propel him into the fourth stage of self realization for further progress.
b. Samveg: Total focus on achieving liberation
(Moksha) and detachment from the worldly matters. In the 4th gunsthanakalso called Avirat Samkit, as the grip of Darshan Mohaniya Karmas loosens, the light of
c.Nirveg: Disinterest in worldly affairs, genuine Samyag Darshan gets brighter and consciousness unfolds interest to escape the cycle of death and birth, meditative
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