Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 83

clinging and confusion dropping away the veils of ignorance; Final liberation is none other than experiencing the trinity of right knowledge, right perception and right conduct as the very nature of the Self in its purity” Uttaradhyanan Sutra 27/31 quotes Lord Mahavir in this regard as follows: "There is no knowledge without right perception; no right conduct is possible without right knowledge; without right conduct, there is no liberation; and without liberation, there is no deliverance.” SAMYAK DARSANA Samyak Darsana or rational perception of the true intrinsic nature of a substance-both living and non-living helps in removing false illusions, prejudices and bias. The key element of rational perception is to seek true knowledge and understanding and avoid false perceptions regarding the seven fundamental attributes of the universe, namely JIVA, AJIVA, ASRAV (inflow of karmas), BANDHA (bondage of karmas), SAMVAR (stopping inflow of karmas), NIRJARA (elimination of karmas through meditation, contemplation, penance and total detachment, and MOKSA (liberation of the soul) For attaining Samyak darsana, Jain scriptures preach avoiding 25 possible faults. These include three elements of ignorance or false perception viz., 'Dev mudhta'i.e., allegiance to false Gods, ‘Lok mudhta' i.e., mistaking blind beliefs and false rituals and customs as true religion, “Pakhandi mudhta' i.e., being influenced by ill-motivated and conceited so-called saints. The eight egos to be avoided are knowledge ego, status ego, family level ego, racial ego, power ego, wealth ego, penance ego and influence ego. The six ‘anayatan' refer to the false perceptions created by ill-motivated guides and the followers of their misconceived faiths. The balance eight faults relate to the negation of the following eight attributes of Samyak darsana :
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A Portrait of Jain Religion