Jainism Eternal and Universal Path for Enlightenment

Author(s): Narendra Bhandari
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

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Jainism : The Eternal and Universal path for Enlightenment
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to say "I want to achieve enlightenment”. Even that desire will prohibit enlightenment to be attained. “I” will exist no more. Nothing remains; all that we are familiar with is lost. Only the soul (which is energy) will survive but it can not be identified with any one. This experience itself is the first step to enlightenment.Two other points regarding enlightenment may be noted. Firstly enlightenment is instantaneous, occurs suddenly whenevr it occurs, and secondly, when the enlightenment occurs, the self knows that it is enlightened. No other proof is required. If any doubt remains, it means that enlightenement has not been achieved.
The essence of describing all these steps in detail is to emphasise that it is important to keep the goal in view and take steps one by one. If one believes in the possibility of enlightenment by this path, one has already taken the first step to stage 2. Observing non-violence, searching for truth, giving up stealing and collection of things moves one up to stage 4 with several accompanying siddhis. Giving up anger, greed and attachment physically leads one up to stage 6 and giving them up in thought moves him further up the ladder. When all wishes, including the wish for enlightenment and Mok-aceases, all actions by deed, mind and thought are abandoned and right faith, conduct, consciousness and perception is attained, one moves up to the highest state of liberation.
We have used several Sanskrit terms in the above discussion without defining them. To explain them would result in digressing from the main theme and the reader is referred to dictionaries' where these terms are defined.
The ascendancy of soul to various higher stages can be attained by correct perception together with certain practices. These practices are described in the next chapter.
1. For example, Jain Paribhasika Shabdakosa published by Jain Vishwa Bharati University, Ladnun, 2009.