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On the elimination of the essence of spiritual conduct pursued in conformity with the transcendental standpoint, there necessarily occurs the elimination of spiritual knowledge and spiritual awakening, but on the performance of virtuous actions in conformity with the empirical standpoint there may occur or there may not occur the elimination of the rest, (namely spiritual knowledge and spiritual awakening). 286-287. Having built the city of spiritual faith, having put the latch of austerity and that of the stoppage of Karmic influx (on the gate of the city), and therein having raised the skilful fort of patience which has been protected in three ways (by the walls, ditches and other defensive works of mind, body and speech) and which is to be conquered with difficulty, the Muni (saint) who, having pierced the cover of Karmas because of having been occupied with the iron arrows of austerity, has concluded the (internal) battle, (he) consequently gets released from the world of things.
(21) Of Spiritual Practices
It has been said in the doctrine of Jina (the spiritual victor) that having done conquest over sleep, posture, and (the covetedness for) food and having apprehended the self through the grace of spiritual teacher, one should meditate on one's own self.
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288.
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Jain Education International
By the effulgence of full knowledge, by the removal of valueignorance and spiritual forgetfulness, and by the annihilation of attachment and aversion, the person attains emancipation (equanimity) and (experience) absolute bliss.
Service of an experienced person and that of the spiritual teacher, avoidance of a value-ignorant person totally, fortitude, spiritual study, staying in seclusion, and reflection on the meaning of sutras (scriptures) - the group of all these is the means of equanimity (emancipation and bliss).
The saint who is the practiser of austerities and who is desirouis of deep spiritual meditation should partake of food which is moderate and fit to be consumed, should long for a companion possessing discriminating understanding and lofty purpose of life and should choose a proper dwelling known through judicious judgement.
Samanasuttaṁ-Vol. I
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