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94
Hermann Kuhn
Here ends the description how we gain knowledge through sense-perception (mati). The next part deals with knowledge we gain from external sources (sruti).
SUTRA 20 i hlayd GUATOGIGTAGH || 20 | Srutam matipurvam dvyaneka dvadasa bhedam (20)
Knowledge gained from external sources (sruti) al. ways originates in sense-perception. There are two types of scriptures45. The first type has twelve, the second one many divisions. (20)
Knowledge from external sources (sruti) offers far broader and deeper insights than sense-perception (mati). It alerts us to experiences we otherwise would not recognize. It establishes a connection between new experiences and our existing concepts of life. It offers us ways to select from the multitude of potential avenues the one path that brings us nearer to the realization of the values and ideals we carry deep within us.
We obtain knowledge from external sources by studying books (or information stored in other media) and by oral instruction.46 Since we receive this information through mate
45 This refers to the ancient scriptures of the Jains that describe the
unfoldment of consciousness. The Jains regard these works as the main source of external knowledge. 46 In ancient times the scriptures were handed down orally. Therefore
this type of knowledge originally was gained by 'hearing' and not
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