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PAÑCALINGĪPRAKARAŅAM
PREFACE The Jaina tradition mentions ther combination of right-vision, right-knowledge, and right-conduct as the liberating path. Out of these three, too, the greatest importance has been given to the gaining of right-vision, because in its absence neither the knowledge remains right nor the conduct can be right. It is for this reason that the preceptors from the very ancient times have acknowledged it as the first step to liberation, the indicator of the liberating path, and the very basis of the right faith. Its importance can also be judged by the fact that the Lord Prophet (Bhagvān Mahāvīra) had himself declared that the person endowed with right-vision does no sin, while Kundakundācārya asserted in Bhāvapāhuda that a person without right-vision is like a moving corpse. In Uttarādhyayanasūtra, Bhagvān Mahāvīra gave it a totally new dimension by saying that one who lacks right vision does not gain right knowledge; without the right knowledge the conduct does not become virtuous (right) and without right conduct there is no moksa or freedom from karmic bondage and without such freedom one cannot liberate and gain the
“Damisaņasovāṇami padhamam mokkhassa /” – Darśanpāhuậa, 21. “Damisai mokkhamaggam/” – Bodhpāhuda, 14. “Damsaņamūlao dhammo/" - Ibid, 2. “Samattadamsī na karei pāvam”- Ācārānga, 1/3/2. “Darisanamukko ya hoi calasavao /" - Bhāvapāhuda, 143.
