________________
182
the real ideal of the soul, though it is not always conscious thereof. The realisation of the supreme status, it is further pointed out, is possible with one's own exertion, never by the favour or grace of another. The reason for this is that the supreme status of the Siddhâtman (God) is the essential nature of the soul, which, in the condition of impurity, or imperfection, is not manifested by it owing to the bondage of different kinds of karmas. These karmas are forces of different sorts which arise from the union of soul with matter, and which can only be destroyed by self-exertion. So long as a soul remains ignorant of its own true nature, it cannot exert itself to realise its natural perfection and joy. Hence, knowledge of the nature of spirit and other substances and of the forces which cripple the natural powers of the soul, is essential to the attainment of final emancipation from the bondage of karmas.
It is the accurate, or right knowledge, springing from true discernment, of the seven principles called tattvas which is absolutely essential to the attainment of the goal of spiritual evolution. This must be accompanied by right conduct, that is, exertion in the right direction, for the destruction of karmic bonds and the obtainment of release from the cycle of transmigration, i.e., repeated births and deaths.
THE PRACTICAL PATH.
Such, briefly, is the teaching of Jainism, and it is obvious that the whole thing is a chain of links based on the Law of Cause and Effect, in other words a perfectly scientific school of philosophy; and the one most remarkable feature of the system is that it is not possible to remove, or alter, a single link from it without
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
