________________
perception), samyak gynaana (enlightened/true knowledge) and samyak chaaritra (enlightened/ true conduct; together constitute the path of liberation. Perception, knowledge and conduct are known as the three jewels when the adjective 'samyak' is added to them. Verily, 'samyakdarshana' is the means to see the universe and the self in the true way.
"Yathaavastu tathaagynaanam sambhavatyaatmano yatah Jinairambhaaim samyaktvam tatkshamam siddhisaadhane"
~Samyagdharshana; (Page 195, Author: Ashokmuni, Publisher: Diwaakarjyoti Karyaalaya, Byaawar (Rajasthan), year 1981)
The Jinaas have described enlightened perception as the ability of the soul to perceive things exactly as they are. Enlightened perception enables the seeker to attain self-realisation and liberation.
Enlightened perception is like a pair of spectacles, which prevents us from seeing things partially (ekaanta). It helps us see things from multiple points of view (anekaanta). Thus, enlightened perception helps us realise that nothing is exclusively permanent or exclusively impermanent. Everything is nityanityaatmaka permanent as well as impermanent). Something may be impermanent from a certain point of view, but not from all points of view! Similarly, something may be permanent from a certain point of view, but not from all points of view!
For instance, any substance is permanent from the point of view of its intrinsic attributes. But its manifestations may change. Hence, the substance is permanent from the dravya {substantial viewpoint) and impermanent from the paryaaya (manifestational viewpoint. 'Samyakdarshana' takes both these viewpoints into consideration. Hence it is translated as 'enlightened perception'.
Spiritual texts have divided the world and its substances into three categories:
1. Gneya (worth knowing. Understanding right as right and wrong as wrong). For example: food, clothing, shelter
2. Heya {should be given up/avoided, as it will take one away from the path of liberation} . For example: Violence, lies, deceit, treachery, indolence, passions, attachment and aversion
3. Upaadeya (worth adopting and internalising optimally as it is central to liberation). For example: non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, non-possessiveness, forbearance,
One who has enlightened perception is capable of discriminating between the 'gneya' (worth knowing}, the 'heya' (worth giving up) and the 'upaadeya' (worth practising in one's life/which shall lead to liberation). Thus, he can easily give up the 'heya' and internalise the 'upaadeya'. He will consider things carefully and decide rationally. He will study and analyze things carefully and
39
