Jain Moral Doctrine

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

Page 59

JAIN MORAL DOCTRINE
(iv) Sukla or the pure contemplation also is of four kinds, ather of four stages of development and perfection. The Sukla concerns itself with the contemplation of the self. To begin with, the self is thought of as a bundle of attributes, each separately from the other. In the next stage, one aspect alone of the self is attended to, in a steadfast manner. The third mode of the Sukla consists in an apprehension of very subtle vibrations within the self, though the self is deeply absorbed in itself. In the last stage, absorption of the self in itself is complete and the self is apprehended as perfectly steady and unmoved.
This finishes the consideration of the nature of the Samvara which stops the further inflow of the causes of the soul's bondage, the Karma-āsrava and of the Nirjarā which destroys the Karma-dirt which has already accumulated in a soul. When the Karma's are completely eradicated from the self so that not a trace of them is left there, the Jīva attains the Moksa, the state of liberation, which is the 'summum bonum' of a moral life and the ultimate goal of all moral activities.
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