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"TRI-RATNA” IN JAIN PHILOSOPHY
Dr. Prem Chand Jain M.A. Ph.D. Jain Darsanacharya
Department of Sanskrit, University of Rajasthan,
JAIPUR
These are : (1) SAMYAG DARSAN right faith, (faith and perception combir ed;) (2) SAMAG JNANA right knowledge; (3) SAMYAK CHARITRA right conduct.
See the three gems
Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct have, therefore, come to be known in Jaina ethics as the three gems (three jewels) that shine in a good life. In the very first sutra of “Tattvarthadhigama-Sutra" Umasvami states this cardinal teaching of Jainism : The Path to liberation lies through right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.1 Liberation is the joint effect of these three.
outra" Umasvami in right know
The reason why right faith or perception is put first is that right principles of conduct are derivable from right perceptions. And as precious stones and ordinary stones are of the same nature, but a whole load of mountain stones does not equal in value a small piece of precious stone, so conduct based on false-faiths may be the same in external manifestation as that based on right faith, but the
rmer leads to final liberation. (ATMANUSASANA, V. 15, TRANSLATION PUBLISHED IN THE JAINA GAZETTE, VOL IV, 1907, P. 67.)
A-RIGHT FAITH (SAMYAG DARSANA)
Umaswami defines right faith as the attitude of respect (Sraddha) towards truth. This faith may be acquired by learning or culture. In any case faith can arise only when the Karmas that stand in its way (the tendencies that case disbelief) are allayed or worn out.
Right faith is of two kinds 1
1. Right faith from the practical point of view, or Vyavahara-Samyag Darsana. It is right and steady faith of the true nature of the six DRAVYAS, the
Mahaveer Jayanti Smarika 77
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