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Non-Sectarian and Liberal Outlook
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have good intentions, do attain the highest spiritual state, though they follow different paths of purification.
The aspirant of this highest ideal certainly attains liberation if he is equanimous, may he belong to any religious sect and may he be known by any sect name. This thing is presented in the following verse:
seyambaro ya āsambaro buddho ya ahava anno vā / samabhāvabhāviappā lahai mukkham na samdeho//2//
Sambohasattari by Jayasekharasuri Meaning: If a person is equanimous, he attains liberation without failno matter whether he is a Svetāmbara, or a Digambara, or a Bauddha or a follower of any other religious sect.
There is no harm in one's being known by this or that sect name. But if he thinks that practice of nudity is the sole condition of liberation, or that practice of wearing pieces of cloth is the sole condition of liberation, or that metaphysical speculation or logic chopping is the means of liberation, or that philosophical debate leads to liberation, or that service of bigotry is the cause of liberation, then such views are all wrong and pernicious to spiritual welfare or liberation. In fact, freedom from passions (attachment, aversion, infatuation) is the real spiritual freedom. Teaching of this type is found in the following verse:
nāśāmbaratve na sitāmbaratve na tarkavāde na ca tattuavāde / na pakşasevā”śrayaņena muktiḥ kaṣāyamuktiḥ kila muktir eva /
Regarding the question as to what type of teaching should be, Acārya Haribhadra observes:
citrā tu deśanā teşām syād vineyānugunyataḥ / yasmäd ete mahātmāno bhavavyādhibhişagvarāḥ //132//
Yogadrstisamuccaya Meaning: The teaching of those great sages (Kapila, Sugata, etc.] exhibits diversity of types parallel to the diversity of levels possessed by the understanding of the disciples concerned; for, these great personages are competent physicians in relation to the ailment called worldly existence.
Let us explain the point. The teaching should be different in accordance with the different qualifications or grades of the hearers so that they can digest and put it into practice. It is because spiritual elevation cannot be attained all at once. It is attained gradually. One can advance
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