Jain Journal 1973 07

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

Page 40

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JAIN JOURNAL
The whole doctrine is contained concisely in seven tattavas, viz., Jīva, Ajīva, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjarā and Moksa. Belief in these is regarded as Right belief or Right faith. The belief in the transitoriness and fruitlessness of the world and its gifts and that self is separate from the non-self, and that self is made free from the contact of non-self matter by living strictly a detatched living, is said to be the Right faith and Right faith alone can lead to Right knowledge. This Right faith which has eight forms, has been elaborately described in the various Šāstras and the safeguards especially against 'Pride which too is of eight types (Jñāna, Pūjā, Kula, Jāti, Physical Strength, Riddhi, Tap and Body) properly explained and illustrated.
Right Knowledge (Samyak Jñāna): Right knowledge means perfect knowledge about substances, as they are, their form and true fom and all without the least doubt. It is as a matter of fact 'search for truth with the right spirit of truth-seeking'. It is possible only after Right faith. The Jaina seers have made use of all the available means of knowledge, viz., the testimony, inference, perception, experience and sound speculation for attaining Right knowledge. It varies inversely with the increase or decrease in the covers on Jñāna (Jñānāvaraạiya Karma) and is false knowledge so long as it is infested with attatchment (Mohaniya Karma). As soon as the difference between the soul and the pudgala becomes clear, the absence or weakening of attatchment (Moha) leads to righteousness and knowledge then becomes Right knowledge. Though this Right knowledge is the sole quality of the soul, yet due to various covers it may be attained in stages (Mati Jñāna, Sruta Jñāna, Avadhi Jñāna, Manahprayāya Jñāna and Kevala Jñāna). The literature relating to the knowledge of soul, has been classified into four categories according to the nature of the contents to suit the ability of the readersPrathamānuyoga, Karanānuyoga, Caranānuyoga and Drayyānuyoga, For the attainment of Right knowledge Jaina śāstras have mentioned eight steps which help in increasing Right knowledge and in removing the cover of Karma. The special feature is that right knowledge increases
2 Prathamanuyoga : Literature dealing with the description of tenets of Dharma,
Artha, Kama and Moksa by the medium of stories and biographies. It is for the beginners. Karananuyoga : Literature dealing with the division of Loka, Aloka, Kala and its rotation, etc. Carananuyoga : Literature that relates the right conduct of seers and householders and which encourages, strengthens and safeguards their conduct. It deals with matters relating to the purification of soul. Dravyanuyoga : It deals with philosophy and matters like Jiva, Ajiva, Punya, Papa, Karma, Bandha, Moksa, etc. It is for advanced people.