Jainism

Author(s): Annie Besant
Publisher: Theosophical Publishing House

Page 32

JAINISM
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actions who are born again and again in ever-recurring births, are not disgusted with Samsara." And it teaches exactly as you read in the Bhagavad Gita that the human being goes downwards by evil action; by mixed good and evil he will be born as a man; or if purified, will be born as a Deva. Exactly on these lines the Jaina teaches. It is by many births, by innumerable experiences, the Jiva begins to liberate himself from the bonds of action. We are told that there are three jewels, like the three ratnas that we so often hear of among the Buddhists; and these are said to be right knowledge, right faith, right conduct, a fourth being added for ascetics: ‘Learn the true road leading to final deliverance, which the Jinas have taught; it depends on four causes, and is characterized by right knowledge and faith. I. Right knowledge; II. Faith; III. Conduct; IV. Austerities. This is the road taught by the Jinas who possess the best knowledge. 2 By right knowledge and right faith and right conduct the Jiva evolves, and in the later stages, to these are added
Uttaradhyayana, iii, 2,3,5. 2 Ibid., xxviii, 1,2.