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PREFACE: LI
comprehensive view and, therefore, we must steadfastly believe in the view presented by the Prophets, who had such comprehensive vision. The Jaina analysts have, over the ages, subscribed to the latter meaning of the term Samyagdarsan. Vacak Umāsväti's Tattvärthasu tra mentions, at the very outset that Samyagdarśan is nothing but a firm belief in the elments enunciated by the seers (Prophets).
Here, we must not gloss over the fact that taken in its second sense, the meaning of darsan militates against a man's reason, against the very speciality that sets him apart from the animal world. However, this is not an irreconcilable conflict. As long as man's reason looks outwards, it is in conflict with faith; as soon as it starts looking inwards or becomes introspective it gives rise to faith. It not only becomes an aid to faith but an integral part of it.
The Importance Of Right-view
To realise the full import of right-view, we must appreciate the dreadful nature of false-vision and gauge the harm that can come our way by having it. It has been said that false-vision is the ultimate disease, the ultimate darkness, the ultimate enemy and the ultimate poison. It is the greatest disease because the physical maladies adversely affect only the body, the mental illnesses do so to the mind but false vision corrupts the very soul. It is the darkest of the dark because even the darkest of night can be lighted by a mere lamp but the soul in the grip of false-vision cannot see right even in the broad day-light. It is the most potent enemy, for the other enemies only harm our worldly interests but it hurts to the very core and condemns the false-visioned to eternal cycle of worldly transmigration. It is,
