Mokshamala

Author(s): Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 70

about his faultlessness, you would surely be convinced that he was a supreme person. He knew and therefore said that there is no Creator and that the universe is without beginning. His impartial and fundamental approach is worth examining. Those, who blame Jainism, do not know it and hence render injustice to it. I think that they would go down on account of undue attachment to their beliefs."
Thereafter there had been some talks in the matter. I delightfully left after securing the promise that they would ponder over the fundamentals.
This discussion took place in respect of the fundamentals, which can be related in infinite perspectives. One should try to comprehend as many of them as possible, adopt those that need to be adopted and give up those that need to be given up. I can truly state that those, who know the same in every respect, get imbibed with four infinite aspects (Infinite perception, infinite enlightenment, infinite vigor and infinite bliss). Is it not significant that presenting those nine fundamentals in a circular form results in putting the soul by the side of liberation?
Lesson 93: Jain Fundamentals, Part 12
You are aware that while enumerating the nine fundamentals in the order of soul, lifeless matter, etc. liberation stands the last. The order consists of Jiv (Soul), Ajiv, (Lifeless matter),Punya (Meritorious deed), Päp (Sin), Asrav (Influx of Karma), Samvar (Prevention of Karma), Bandh (Bondage), Nirjarä (Eradication of Karma) and Moksha (Liberation). It thus begins with soul and ends with liberation. I had mentioned in the last lesson that soul and liberation are close by. In the above order, however, one may notice that soul and liberation are not close to each other, while soul and lifeless matter are. But that closeness occurs out of ignorance. From the enlightened point of view they need to be presented in a cyclic form as given below.
Liberation
/
Soul
Eradication of Karma
WHEEL
OF
NINE FUNDAMENTALS
Lifeless Matter
Bondage of Karma
Meritorious Deeds
Prevention of Karma
Sin
Influx of Karma
Now do you see the closeness of soul to liberation? That closeness is, however, physical, not modal. The modal closeness would lead to full accomplishments. True divinity, true Guru and true religion are the means of closeness, while knowledge, perception and character lead to the unification thereof.
The question may arise that since soul and liberation are close to each other, should one leave aside the rest of them? Reply is: 'If you can give up all of them, do give up, you will abide in liberation. Otherwise, learn what is to be given up, what is to be known and what is to be resorted to; you will gain self-realization.