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Jaina Ethics and Miscellaneous Customs and Manners
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the goal has been fixed the next question arises regarding the way how to achieve that objective. To this question Jainism has a definite answer. It emphatically states that Samyag-darśana, i. e., right belief, Samyag-jñāna, i. e., right knowledge and Samyagchāritra, i.e., right conduct together constitute the path to salvation.26 Right belief, right knowledge and right conduct are called Ratnatraya or the three jewels in Jaina works. These three are not different paths but form together a single path. These thres must be present together to constitute the path to salvation. Since all the three are emphasised equally, and since the Mokshatarga is impossible without the cumprehension of all the three, it is obvious that Jainism is not prepared to admit anyone of these three in isolation as means of salvation. There are religious schools in Hinduism which lay all' tue emphasis on Bhakti or faith, on Jñana or knowledge, on Karma or moral conduct. The Bhāgavatas mostly emphasize the bhakti aspect, the Advaita Vedāntins the jñāna aspect and tue Pūrva Mimāmsakas the karma aspect. But according to Jainisin no such one-sided emphasis can be accepted as the correct path.27 To attain liberation all the three must be simultaneously pursued. It is contended that to effect a cure of · a malady, faith in the efficacy of a medicine, kaowledge of its use, and actual taking of it: these three together are essoñitial , so also to get emancipation, faith in the efficacy of Jainism, its knowledge and actual practising of it : these three are quite indispensable.23 The path is compared to a ladder with its two side poles and the central rungs forming the steps. The side poles are right belief and right knowledge and the rungs or steps the gradual stages of right conduct. It is possible to ascend the ladder only when all the three are sound. The absence of one makes the ascent impossible. Thus a simultaneous pursuit of right belief, right knowledge and right conduct is enjoined upon the people. As the ethical code, both for the householders and the monks, is based on this path, let us see the characteristics of these three jewels which constitute that path.
(I) Right Belief : :
Of the three jewels, right belief comes first and forms the basis upon which the other two rest. One must, by all possible mea ns, first attain right belief or the basic conviction on the funda
