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CHAPTER - VII-4
JAINA VIEW OF MOKŞA (LIBERATION) COMPARED
WITH VEDANTA AND OTHER PHILOSOPHIES
The concept of Mokșa (liberation) is perhaps the biggest idea in man's quest for happiness. The science of Moksa is an experimental science of mental power.' The history of human existence is a history of endless effort to eliminate sorrow and attains happiness. Death alone is the full stop to our sufferings. But if this idea of death is accepted, it would mean a tragic blow to the sense of human adventure, freedom and effort and persuasion of immorality accompanied by joy. And this state of eternal joy bereft of all suffering is regarded as Mokṣa or liberation.”
The philosophical speculation of both modern and old, are rooted in curiosity and curiosity results in misery, birth, old age, disease and death have to be overcome for the sake of realization. (This is possible through the arousal of metaphysical curiosity). The Indian philosophy does not merely aims at the achievement of the knowledge of the reality, but it has a dual purpose of knowledge and virtue. The main purpose of philosophy in India is to free oneself from the misery of this life. Western thought or philosophy's aim is purely academic while Indian philosophy aims at self-realization and realization of truth in life.”
Mukti or Mokṣa of soul, in Indian thought, is due to recognition of self; whereas Western philosophy is quite unaware of a philosophy of the self, which is the requisite of any philosophical adventure." It is the spiritual basis of ethical life. The genesis of the idea of Moksa is traced in “The endeavor of man to find out ways
Dr. Ramjee Singh, “Jaina perspective in philosophy and religion”, 1993, P131, Dārśanika Triamāsika July 1955, article on Mokşa-Darsana, P-63 ?Ibid, P-131 Devendra Muni Shastri, “A source book in Jaina philosophy”, 1983, P-220 *Udyotakara, Nyāya-vārttika, P-366
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