________________
Metaphysics, Ethics and Spiritual Development
Faith and knowledge constitute the basis of conduct or activities. The strength or force of activity is determined by the strength of faith and knowledge. In other words, activity derives its strength from faith and knowledge.
Faith generates and increases enthusiasm for accomplishing the undertaken work. On the basis of knowledge, we start activity; knowledge is the ground of our activity. But activity gains force and vigour when it is impelled by faith. Of course, skill or proficiency depends on knowledge. More the knowledge, better is the work done. But in the absence of faith, activity does not gather strength, vigour and momentum. Faith in the attainment of the goal, however remote the attainment may be, instils vigour in the activity performed for the attainment. Faith causes us to take interest in the activity; and on its account, our devotion to or absorption in activity becomes concentrated and brilliant.
In the Jaina scriptures, the term 'samyagdarśana' is employed for śraddha (faith).
The function of knowledge is to grasp, cognise or know the object to a considerable extent. But the faculty which is responsible for the rise of discrimination as to the spiritual wholesomeness or otherwise of the object known as also for predilection or love for the former is samyagdarśana. Thus samyagdarśana is nothing but predisposition or inclination rooted in the faculty of discrimination and discretion and permeated with faith.
There is a vast difference between faith (śraddha) and blind belief. Faith is invariably accompanied by discrimination and discretion. On the other hand, blind belief is always destitute of discrimination and discretion, as is suggested by the adjective 'blind' given to belief. When belief is generated by the faculty of discrimination, it is given the good name 'faith' ('sraddha'). We determine as to the wholesomeness or otherwise, etc., of an object or an act with the instrumentality of the faculty of discrimination. And faith is required to impel us to act accordingly. In this way, there obtains a very close relation between faith and faculty of discrimination.
249
A
Knowledge, when infused with faith, turns into a unique tonic of spiritual life. Such knowledge is the main ground of spiritual welfare.' It is samyagdarśana alone and it alone is samyagdarśana.
As already stated, darśana (faith), jñāna (knowledge) and caritra (con
1. 'Knowledge is the wing with which we fly to heaven.'-Shakespeare
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
