Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 21

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JAIN JOURNAL
aspirant attains kevalajñāna where the subtle activity of body remains and all other activities cease. It can be attained in the 13th gunasthāna. The last or fourth type of sukladhyāna is attained by the aspirant when all the karmas are annihilated. This is the fourteenth stage of guṇasthāna the most pure stage of soul.
Evaluation :
This is the brief survey of the spiritual disciplines and practices as laid down in Jainism for day to day life. Jainism is a religion of religions and a philosophy of philosophies. It believes that proper religious observances prepare a man to possess a non-sectarian attitude towards religious disciplines and practices culminating in spiritual enlightenment or achieving consciousness of ultimate reality. It is also of the opinion that a noble social conduct as prescribed in Jainism means a social conduct of self restraint and highmindedness, benevolence and compassion, sympathy and tolerance which is a moral instrument for building a just society. There is no difficulty at all to develop gradually the religious disciplines in everyday life, though the ultimate reality is immanent.
As a matter of fact, spirituality cannot and should not be limited to the absolute or direct spiritual experience of mystics. It considers in its ambit the humanism and humanitarianism also with metaphysical, religious, philosophical and moral consciousness. Moral values may not be a constitutive part of the religious life but at best it may be certainly instrumental in securing the realization of ultimate truth.
Ours is an age of intellectual dwarfs and selfish giants. We are so elated at our achievements, small or big, that we attribute to ourselves all the good qualities of head and heart. We regard ourselves as extraordinary. We are so sure of our righteousness that anybody who differs from us is promptly labelled as imbecile. Honest divergence of opinion has become a rare commodity. Our egoistic tendency and mean mentality cause us to disregard other conceptions and motions. Further on account of our materialistic and atheistic tendencies we are unable to overcome the social problems that are staring us in the face.
The clashes and conflicts that obtain in the world are due mainly to the absence of economic equality, sound ecclesiastic outlook, tolerance and humility. The real threat to the world peace comes from superstitious or ideological gulf which exists between one nation and another,