Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

Page 84

Jainism Concepts 1, 2, 3, ...
by Mahesh Varia
as Siddha or liberated souls and Sansari or souls not yet liberated.
Cause and effect is seen as a relationship of Upadan and Nimit. Upadan is the real cause of a result and Nimit is an apparent cause or a catalytic agent.
I have been introduced to many concepts of Jainism through the Jain Study Center of North Carolina. These inter-linking concepts illustrate the fundamentals of Jainism and familiarity with its terminology, phrases, and descriptions can provide a beginning to enhance further understanding of Jainism. Some fundamental beliefs in Jainism include that the universe, the living, and non-living entities in the universe have no beginning or end in time, that is they exist from infinity to infinity. There is no creator or destroyer in that sense. Here is 1, 2, and 3 of some of these concepts and can be a useful reference platform to return for deeper study and practices of Jainism.
Three
The path to liberation or Moksha is through Samyag Darshan, Samyag Gnan, and Samyag Charitra. These three are called the 3 jewels or Ratna-treyi of the Jain philosophy.
One
1. Samyag Darshan: Right Perception 2. Samyag Gnan: Right Knowledge 3. Samyag Charitra: Right Conduct
The path of different religions lead to one goal, that of eternal bliss. In Jainism this is Moksha. The fundamental belief of Jainism is that Atma realizes its nature of perfect bliss, consciousness, knowledge, and power through liberation from karma. Karma is described as minute matter that obscures Atma's inherent bliss and knowledge. The word Moksha refers to mukti (liberation) and Atma free of all karma is referred to as Siddha.
Tri-padi refers to the changes in entities as the existing form transforms to a new form but the true nature of the entity remains constant. Paryaya refers to the transformation. Thus the Dravaya or substance undergoes Utpati (origination), Vyaya (destruction or transformation), and yet it remains Dhruva (permanent) in its inherent properties. Dravya and the Paryaya are inseparable from the entity.
Two
Four
Several concepts are seen in pairs or TWO related topics as shown in the following examples.
Four concepts that affect the process of liberation from karma:
Jiva (living beings) and Ajiva (non-living beings). All the substances (Dravya) in the Universe are classified under these two major categories. Jiva are further classified
1. Mithyatva: False belief, lack of
understanding the true nature of
substances 2. Avirati: Lack of self-control leading to
indulgence 3. Kashaya: Passions
Jain Education Intemational