Portrait of Jain Religion

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

Page 85

Rational knowledge could be of five dimensions. MATI GYAN (non-verbal sensuous cognition witch is instinctive, memorybased, contemplative and estimation-inspired empirical Knowledge; SHRUTI GYAN (articulate verbal knowledge based cn hearing and listening to others. It implies the presence of Mati syan to comprehend it; AVADHI GYAN (extra-sensory knowledge which is time-less and time tested acquired through Sadhana (meditation, contemplation and penance); MANAHPARYAY GYAN (mind-reading knowledge acquired as a result of reaching pinnacle of detachment and self-restraint. This comes to very remarkable and intensely devoted saintly persons). KEVAL GYAN (knowledge at its highest peak amounting to the purest form of self-realisation and omniscience. It is obtained after very hard penance, deepest contemplation, meditation and concentration after renouncing all material attachments and abuse of resource, giving up all possessive instincts and ego-centric thoughts and actions. Keval gyan opens the doors to soul enlightenment and becoming an all-knowing omniscient Arihant or Tirthankar. SAMYAK CHARITRA If rational perception is the root of the religion, rational conduct is the religion. In his sermons, Mahavir used to emphasize that : “Mere clever talking will not protect; nor will philosophical disciplines do so. One must first practice and then only preach. Rational conduct is as important as rational perception and rational knowledge." It includes both conduct in perception (NISHCHAYA) as well as practice (VYAVAHAR). Practice of ANUVRAT (small five vows of restraint) by lay persons (Shravak), and MAHAVRATA (major five vows of restraint and self-control by saints) fall under Vyavahar Charitra. Scriptures say : "CHARITTAM KHALU DHAMMO'
A Portrait of Jain Religion