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1.2.13 Central Pre-eminence of Samyaktva
Ratnatraya or the three jewels denote samyak darshana {enlightened perception), samyak gynaana {enlightened knowledge and samyak chaaritra {enlightened conduct). Of these, samyak darshana or samyaktva is of primary importance.
Many people memorise large tomes of scripture. They master even the minutest aspects of the scriptures. They can answer the most difficult questions based on the scriptures. They are awarded high degrees with regard to their knowledge. But if this vast knowledge is bereft of samyaktva, then all their knowledge is as good as ignorance. If their attitude is selfish, hedonistic, materialistic and if they are social climbers, know that their knowledge is not samyak since they lack samyakdarshana {enlightened perception}.
Similarly, if a person practices a great deal of penance and asceticism, and takes up austerities for extended periods but seeks the luxuries of heavenly birth or material compensation like status, high rank, fame and acclaim; then his conduct is not samyak. He is motivated by the desire for acclaim, status, rebirth in heaven, etc. His focus is not on purifying the soul through penance.
The teleology behind stating this is to emphasise that knowledge and conduct without samyaktva cannot help the soul attain liberation. The soul shall not be able to put an end to its transmigration. Bhattaraka Sakalakirti wrote that,
"Darshanena vinaagynaanamagynaanam kathyate budhaih Chaaritram cha kuchaaritram vratam punsaa nirarthakam Adhishthaanam bhavenmuulam harmyaadiinaam yathaa tathaa Tapo-gynaana-vrataadiinaam darshanam kathyate jinah" Prashnottarashraavakaachaara
Samyagdharshana, (Author: Ashokmuni, Publisher: Diwaakarjyoti Karyaalaya, Byaawar (Rajasthan), year 1981)
The wise ones have called knowledge without samyaktva as ignorance. And conduct without samyaktva is known as unworthy conduct. In the absence of samyaktva, even penance is pointless. The Jinaas state that just as it is essential for a building to have a strong foundation, penance, knowledge and austerities must be built on the foundation of samyaktva.
What is implied that samyaktva alone, without renunciation, penance and knowledge is better than renunciation, penance and knowledge without samyaktva. Because without samyaktva, there is mithyaatva {false belief. Hence, the renunciation, etc. are blemished by false belief. The learned ones say that the monk who has samyaktva as well as practices the austerities shall attain liberation. But if a monk is unable to perform penance and austerities but is firm in his
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