Jain Journal 1966 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 28

JAIN JOURNAL
estimation of facts lead to fallacious conclusions. The samyak-jñāna or valid knowledge is free from all forms of samāropa or mistake. The Jainas characterise right knowledge as vyavasāyī or certain, yielding ideas of its objects excatly as they are and as such, being free from all forms of doubt, illusion and inattentive tendencies.
We may conclude our study of the right knowledge of the Jainas by referring to what they call the eight ācāras in relation to it. The ācāras are looked upon by the Jainas as the eight angas or limbs of the samyak jñana. They are practically so many respectful attitudes that one should assume towards that branch of the right knowledge which is known as the śruta or the authoritative. The eight ācāras refer to a student's conduct towards the scripture and the scriptural teachers. The first of these ācāras, the kālācara enjoins that scriptures are to be studied at those times only, which are specified for their study. The vinayācāra consists in purity, both outward and subjective. The external vinaya or observance of purity at the time of study consists in purifying the body, cleaning the cloth which is put on, seating oneself on a little high and clear spot, bowing to the scripture and so on ; while the internal purity consists in purifying the mind, filling it with feelings of veneration, etc., etc. The śabdācāra in connection with the scriptural study consists in using and uttering the words correctly and in accordance with the rules of grammar. The arthācāra requires that the correct meanings of words are always to be remembered
nd on no occasion one should distort them. The ubhayācāra insists that both the correct use of words as well as the remembrance of their true meanings are to be kept in view, when studying the scriptures. It would be seen that sometimes the more correct pronunciation of the scriptural words may bring some good ; on some occasions, again, the grasping of correct meaning only of these words may be useful ; it is said that a benefit which is of a different nature from the benefits accruing from the śabdācāra alone or from the arthācāra alone, is secured when these are combined. The sixth anga of the right scriptural knowledge is described as the bahumānācāra ; it consists in respecting the scriptures, respecting the right knowledge and respecting the teachers, who impart it. The Jainas emphasise the fact that without a respectful attitude on the part of the student towards the scripture and the teachers, the attainment of any right knowledge is impossible. The next is the upadhānācāra which consists in ever remembering correctly the verses, the texts and the aphorisms of the scripture and their expositions and, on no account, forgetting any part of them. The last of the ācāras is the aninhavācāra ; it lays down that one should not conceal the knowledge which he has acquired but should rather impart it to others who want to know it. Nor should he conceal the name of the teacher from whom he is learning or who is