Saman suttam

Author(s): Jinendra Varni
Publisher: Sarva Seva Sangh Prakashan

Page 19

(xv)
other World. This victory over attachment becomes possible by a harmonious accomplishment of the three jewels of Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct. It is the path of happy combination of Faith, Knowledge and Conduct by following which man can attain salvation or perfection. Faith, Knowledge and Conduct together can bestow perfection on man. The primary or the basic teaching of Jainism is that right knowledge should be acquired by looking at mundane things with an eye of right faith and that the same should be translated into conduct in life. However, the pivotal point of entire conduct and thought is attainment of conquest over attachment. Even the greatest riches of the world are futile in the face of conquest of attachment. Conquest of attachment in an everincreasing degree by constant endeavour is regarded as conducive to the highest welfare of the inner-most soul in both the states, whether one is in a state of involvement or detachment or of a house-holder of a monk. But the path of attainment of conquest of attachment cannot be reached without the aid of an attitude of many points-of-views. This doctrine of many points-of-views will show the right path of liberation by creating in an individual an inclination towards detachment when he is inclined towards a mundane life, or by exposing the hollowness of mundane life when an individual is in a state of detachment. Ahimsă or non-violence
Non-violence is the foundation of Jaina ethics. The observance of non-violence is not possible without an attitude of many points-of-view. Because from the Jaina point of view, a person can be non-violent even when violence is committed, or even when committing violence. According to Jainism, commission of violence or non-violence is dependent upon the mental condition of the door, not on the act. If the violence that is taking place outside is to be regarded as violence, then none can be non-violent because the entire world is pervaded by living creatures and there is constant violence to them going on.