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The Path of Three Jewels
Conclusion
In this chapter, we have observed that according to Jainism the main cause of bondage is perversity of attitude. The right faith, therefore, occupies the most important position.
At the same time, right conduct is no less important. The soul has to exert itself in order to check the inflow of fresh karmic matter and also to annihilate the previously accumulated karmic matter. This is, as given in the second chapter, called samvara and nirjarā.
Now we proceed to deal with the rules of conduct, which form the main part of Jaina ethics. As attainment of right conduct is a gradual process, the aspirant may not be able to achieve the highest ideals of conduct at the first stage. He, therefore, can observe only partial self-control at the stage of householder, whereas at the advanced stage of monkhood he becomes capable of observing the rules of conduct more comprehensively and completely. So we have two sets of rules of conduct one for the householder, another for the monk. We shall deal with both of them in the following two chapters.
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