Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 33

(30) : Pristine Jainism floors of rooms and even in temple premises. Empty wine bottles are frequently found in rooms. Many couples come just for honeymoon. Pilgrims lose temper (Anantānubandhi Krodha), abuse and fight with workers on the slightest pretexts. The conduct and lifestyle of pilgrims at Śri Mahāvīrajī mirrors the state of affairs in Jaina Society as a whole.
Abstract and Practical view points.
There are two viewpoints mentioned in Jain literature, the abstract (Niścaya Naya) and practical (Vyavahāra Naya) as complementary to each other and not contradictory. As one advances in knowledge and conduct from lower stages to the higher and higher stages he gains more and more knowledge (understanding) and firmness in character by gradual practical steps (Vyavahāra Naya). It is only at the highest stage of Arhats that perfection is attained and nothing remains to be done or practised. Arhats and eventually Siddhas are in abstract stage (Niścaya Naya) in the highest and the purest form of soul. The array of rational practical steps or stages (in belief, knowledge and conduct) culminate in abstract, the highest one. The nomenclature of abstract viewpoint as Niscaya Naya is later development, originally it was pure view point (Suddha Naya). ववहारोऽभूदत्थो भूदत्थो देसिदो दु सुद्धणओ ।
Samayasāra - 1.13 (Vyavahāra Naya is not important; Suddha-naya is relevant]
Such a statement discarding practical viewpoint by Ācārya Kundakunda is perplexing because in earlier stanza of Samayasāra he has himself stated the importance of practical viewpoint (Vyavahāra Naya). As he maintains: तहववहारेण विणा परमत्थुवदेसणमसक्कं ।।
Samayasāra - 1.8 It is not possible to preach path of salvation without Vyavahāra Naya. Just in the next stanza No. 14, he forbids preaching by abstract viewpoints to individuals advancing on rational path for salvation till they attain complete knowledge and perfect conduct.