Book Title: Jainism the Creed for All Times
Author(s): D S Baya
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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Page 365
________________ and preceptors present to their followers is the inescapable need to have the right perspective on everything - live or lifeless that surrounds us. We term this as 'Right-view' or Samyagdarśana. This right perspective helps us in overcoming undue attachment and aversion and, thus, enables us to free ourselves from the clutches of delusion. This, in turn, helps us in rationalising and limiting our desires and the chain of misery is broken paving the way for happiness to dawn. Right-Knowledge - Next we come to the right-knowledge or Samyagjñāna, which gives us the ability to know the right from the wrong and saves us from avoiding the pitfalls that are, mostly the result of ignorance. Right-knowledge also results in the development of right perspective through the appreciation of the transitory nature of the world and a comprehension of the fundamentals like the agents of karmic bondage and liberation and is, thus, another powerful instrument of happiness. Right-Conduct - Having dealt with the precept part, let's now come to the practice part or the right-conduct as the Jaina philosophy calls it. It is the right-conduct that is the essence of Jaina way of life. This is the practice part of Jainism. This runs in two distinct streams one for the clergy and the other for the lay followers. The first is much more rigorous than the second but they run on parallel lines - each incorporating the basic injunctions and guidelines that steer clear of misery and lead to much wanted happiness. It is the practice of contentment and satisfaction derived through limiting of needs and desire. Unlimited desires can never be fulfilled and they always cause misery, dissatisfaction and discontentment. Happiness Through Meditation Jainism lays a great emphasis on meditation by its followers and out of the four kinds of meditations decries the first two inauspicious kinds - despondent reflection and reflection actuated JAINISM AND PERSONAL HAPPINESS : 337

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