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Vows are at the heart of Jain morality and are undertaken with a full knowledge of their nature and a determination to carry them through.
The trinity is necessary for a successful life. This threefold discipline helps us realize our own intrinsic purity. The trinity must be cultivated collectively to ensure liberation. Individually, they are incomplete and insufficient because they are mutually dependent. In isolation, perception, knowledge or conduct causes conflicts or tensions and vitiates the environment. Collectively, the three jewels produce harmony, contentment, and blissfulness with the progressive march of the souls to higher planes.
An individual can be guided in his conduct by the examples of five benevolent personalities (panch parameshthi). They are:
Supreme human beings Pure or perfect souls Master teacher Scholarly monks Ascetics (monks)
-Arihants -Siddhas -Acaryas -Upadhyayas -Sadhus
Arihantas are human beings who have realized perfect vision, knowledge, power, and bliss. They have preached the religion principles, philosophy of life, and the path of liberation. At the end of their human life they will be totally liberated and will become siddhas. Siddhas are souls that are completely free from karmic bondage and have attained liberation. They are bodiless and live in Moksha at the top of the universe (locket). Both arihantas and siddhas are the Gods of Jain religion. At present, in the absence of arihantas, ascetics (acaryas, upadhyayas, and sadhus) provide the spiritual guidance.
Pravin K. Shah is an eminent Jain scholar who is well known for promoting the educational aspects of Jainism. He has received a distinguished award from JAINA.
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