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Thus, it is imperative that the seeker comprehends the means (saadhana) as well as the end (saadhya)
clearly. Any seeker who wishes to practise the highest form of asceticism and spiritual practices should first ascertain the teleological purpose behind his spiritual endeavour. Once he is clear that he wishes to make the effort in order to attain liberation, and then uses the appropriate end towards this goal, he shall certainly achieve his goal of liberation.
Jain thinkers have stated that there should be only one goal for the seeker - liberation. And they have written that the three jewels of enlightenment are the appropriate means for accomplishing this end. Here is what Aachaarya Umasvati has said:
"Samyak-darshana-gynaana-chaaritraani-moksha-maargah."
Aachaarya Umasvati's 'Tattvaarthasuutra', Verse 1.01 (Page 4, Author: Pandit Shukhlaalji, Publisher: Gujarat Vidyaapith, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), year 1930 1st edition)
Enlightened perception, knowledge and conduct together constitute the path of salvation.
All the souls in the past who have attained liberation, be they Tirthankaras, their primary disciples or the heads of the ascetic communities, have talked about the three jewels as the appropriate means to attain liberation. They have not only talked about the three jewels, they have internalised and practised these three jewels in their own lives. In future also, they will give the same teaching. Follow the three jewels if you wish to attain liberation. Learned seers have described the three jewels as the embodiment of religion.
If practised correctly, these three jewels can offer us complete freedom from transmigration.
This is what Aachaarya Samantabhadra wrote:
"Saddrishtigynaanavrittaani dharmam dharmeshvaraa viduh
Yadiiya pratyaniikaanii bhavanti bhavapaddhatih"
-Ratnakarandakashraavakaachaara, Verse 1.3 (Page 6, Author. Aachaarya Samantabhadra Publisher: Muni Sangh Swaagat Samiti (Sagar), Madhya Pradesh, year 1986, 2nd edition)
The leaders and masters of the dharma, the Tirthankaras have said that enlightened perception, enlightened knowledge and enlightened conduct constitute dharma. And their opposites, false perception, false knowledge and false conduct constitute delusion and lead to transmigration.
The question that begs an answer is, if the matchless treasure of the three jewels is present in latent form in each and every soul, why is the world living in such misery?
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