Jaina View of Life

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur

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of Jiva to the wheel of life. This bondage of soul to Karma is determined by the i) nature (praksti), duration (sthiti), intensity (anubhagha) and quantity (pradesa) of Karma. Karma has its psychological aspect also in the Bhāva-karma.
Mokşa is to be achieved through the triple path of right intuition, right knowledge and right conduct. The belief in the Tattvas is the right faith, knowledge of the real is right knowledge and freedom from attachment and aversion is right conduct. The path of virtue is the path which leads to self-realization. The five Vratas are fundamental for the Jainas. However, the practice of the Vratas and the ethical life have been graded in two levels as duty of a muni (ascetic) and the life of sravaka (lay follower). The purpose is to realize the highest gradually and with ease. In this analysis of ethical concepts we find the application of the spirit of Anekānta. The same can be found in their interpretation of Ahińsā as an ethical principle. The Jaina attitude to the conception of God expresses the spirit of Anekānta. The Jainas are against the Theistic conception of God. But each soul in its pure and perfect form, is divine. Still the Tirthaikaras are worshipped not because they are gods but because they are human, yet divine — to be kept before.us as ideals for emulation. Apart from the worship of the Tirthankaras, we find a pantheon of gods as a social survival and a psychological necessity.
Life is to be considered as a struggle for perfection. We do not get ready-made views. We have to look at life through manycoloured glasses and as a "vale of soul making”. This is the picture of Jaina outlook on life as presented in this book. It may, perhaps, give a discrete picture. The purpose has been to see some of the problems in the light of synoptic point of view as expressed in the Anekānta.
The metaphysical elements of Jainism have not been discussed in detail as the main object of this work has been to present the Jaina view of life, However, principle of aśrava, bandha, samvara and nirjara have been incidentally woven in the texture