Jain Moral Doctrine

Author(s): Harisatya Bhattacharya
Publisher: Jain Sahitya Vikas Mandal

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JAIN MORAL DOCTRINE
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 scripture, 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 Açāras is the Anihnavācāra; its lays down that one should not conceal the knowledge which he has acquired but should rather impart it to others who want to know; nor should be concealed the name of the teacher from whom he is learning or who is the author of the books he is studying; nor should one conceal the scripture from honest enquirers but should always give publicity to them.
May it not be said that the respectful attitudes as described in the above Āçāras which have been laid down by the Jaina thinkers, as essential to the acquisition of the scriptural knowledge, are also indispensable for a person, interested in the investigation of any kind of truth?
Firm in faith of the right sort and possessed of correct knowledge about his own self and what is other than it, one becomes competent to lead a truly moral life-a life of right conduct or Samyak-çaritra which yields the Mokşa, the blissful final emancipation.