Jainthology

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 77

kevalajñāna. For one "Only liberated souls have such knowledge". 19 For another such knowledge can be attained by the spiritually advanced
ven while alive.20 However, these considerations seem to bear on perfected beings while the evidence presented by Dr. Moody relates to the experience of ordinary human beings who have had a glimpse of what that perfect vision of knowledge might be like. There is all the difference between having a glimpse of the view from the peak and living on the peak itself.
Conclusion
The evidence provided by subjects who have had near-death experiences of prolonged duration lends plausibility to the otherwise seemingly airy-fairy concept of kevalajñāna in Jainism.
[ July 1982 ]
19 S. Chatterjee and D. Datta, op. cit., p. 77. 20 M. Hiriyanna, op. cit., pp. 168-169; R. C. Zaehner, ed., op. cit., p. 264;
To achieve salvation the soul must become free from matter of all kinds, when it will rise to the top of the universe through its natural lightness, to dwell there for ever in bliss. The souls of the great sages such as Mahavira achieve virtual salvation while still in the body; they enjoy the bliss and'omniscience of the fully emancipated soul, but enough residual karma still clings to them to hold them to the earth; when this is exhausted by penance and fasting they die, and their naked souls rise immediately to the realm of ineffable peace above the highest of the heavens of the gods.
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