Jain Journal 1980 04

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

Page 14

126
It is this mental attitude of desirelessness that is most important in understanding the paradox, and also it is that which sheds light on the emphasis Jainism places on action or caritra. The three jewels of Jaina thought are right belief, right knowledge and right conduct. By right belief or samyagdarśana is meant this attitude of desirelessness and a conviction that Self is pure and perfect. Our mission is to realize that perfection and for that we need knowledge, the second step. However this knowledge is not mere information about the world or even one's self; books on theology or psychology do not contain this knowledge. Rather "right" knowledge, samyagjñāna, arises from the experience of one's Self, the touch with that divinity which lies within each of us.
Then the third aspect, right conduct or samyagcāritra, follows logically and spontaneously. When one has the belief in divinity and perfection of soul and gains some real understanding or knowledge of it by meditation and being in touch with that divinity, then naturally he or she wants to share that experience, to help others to feel it and to perfect themselves more and more. For these reasons, the people adopt the spiritual practices, the disciplines, and adhere to the ethics laid down in the scriptures.
JAIN JOURNAL
Thus the three in reality become one. Belief leads to knowledge and then to action. This again enhances belief and kindles the yearning for more experience and deeper knowledge. So more action is undertaken. Life becomes a comingling and balancing of outer expression and inner quest, of spiritual exploration and worldly declaration, of insight and outpouring. Indeed, these opposing terms lose their meaning as the oneness of the energy of life itself is experienced and refined.
Part II
Having looked at some historical precedents and specific examples of how others have satisfied the need to communicate with life and found a balance in living, we now can examine another dimension of the question. We can say that this is the inner dimension, the individual perspective. We each must make a personal decision-do we live in the world, assume responsibility in relationships of family and friends or do we give up this lifestyle in favor of the way of the recluse?
One way to view this predicament is to ask, "Is the pain of emotional involvement with others, and especially the loss of those dear to usa son or daughter, a wife or companion, a mother or brother-greater than that of isolation and separation? Is giving up of home, family,