Prashamratiprakaran

Author(s): Umaswati, Umaswami, Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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deliverance of the soul from karmic bondage. To achieve this perfect state, ethical disciplines are prescribed as the means.
Jaina thinkers firmly believe that, the way to mokṣa (emancipation) lies through the three jewels (ratnatraya) known as Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. 53 These, three are said to be the ingredients of discipline that leads to freedom from karmic bondage. These three gems together constitute one path and are to be simulteneously pursued. If one is absent, the path of salvation is incomplete (Pr.230). They are inseparably bound up and prefction of one goes with the prefection of the other two (Pr.231). Right faith means, an unflinching faith in the nine fundamental principles of Jinism (Pr.232). Right knowledge is correct knowledge of the tattavas as taught by Jainas. (Pr.227). Right conduct is making one's life conform to the truths learnt. Right faith is the first step. on the path of spiritual development. But this alone is not enough for complete spiritual advancement. It must lead to Right knowledge of reality. The Right knowledge of the nature of reality is a necessary condition to spiritual development. These two, Right faith and Right knowledge alone would not be sufficient to lead us to the highest spiritual goal. Acquisition of Right knowledge must lead to Right action. Without Right conduct, knowledge is futile. Thus, Right conduct in the light of Right faith and Right knowledge is a necessary condition for attaining the highest goal. In other words, Right faith is responsible for placing a person on the right path, Right knowledge illumines the path and Right conduct leads to the goal Thus Umāsvāti, emphatically maintains that all these three aspects must be
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present in a person, if he is desirous to reach his spiritual goal. Without Right conduct, Right faith and knowledge have no meaning. It is Right conduct which ultimately leads a person to the highest aim of life. Thus, Jaina thinkers prescribed an. exhaustive list of code of conduct. These principles of code of conduct are prescribed to engender the spirit of renunciation in the soul, weaken and destroy the bonds of its karmas and enable one to at in its original perfect state of Infinite Power, Knowledge and Bliss.
So far as Right conduct is concerned, it comprises of two sets of rules, one consisting in injunctions applicable to monks and other in directions to householders. Really speak, Jainism gives a prominent place to the life of a monk and the lif of a householder occupies only a secondary place. It considers that the life of a householder is just a stepping stone to the life of a monk. It believes that asceticism