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Appendix
177
(e)
(f)
(g)
A SamyagDrşti with these Pratimā is considered in 5th Gunasthāna. Gunasthāna higher than 5 indicate the spiritual progress beyond 11th Pratimā. Time required for switching from one stage to another may be short or long. After attainment of SamyagDarśana, some may not be able to achieve any Pratima in many lifetimes; and some may very quickly transcend all these 11 stages. The transition directly from 4th to 7th Guņasthāna is uncommon, but as per scriptures such a possibility cannot be ruled out. Those who prefer to gradually climb the ladder are advised to go one after another, i.e., one is not advised to take vows of 7th Pratimā without having vows of previous 6 Pratimā. However, if one has vows of first two Pratimā and if he/she wants to practice celibacy (7th Pratimā) then he/she can do so with this consideration that he/she is in second Pratimā, not in 7th. In other words, if a person has adopted first and second Pratimā, and without adopting third to sixth Pratimā if he/she has the vow of celibacy, then he/she is considered as a person of second Pratimā.
h
In practice, the adoption of this ladder needs a guide and more details from the scriptures. It may be added that the adoption of any Pratimā depends on various factors such as will and strength of the person concerned, family condition, social environment/culture, guide's approval, etc. This is a less travelled road; in recent years, hardly one percent followers of Lord Mahāvīra might be travelling on this ladder. One should keep in mind that the main objective of climbing on this ladder is to reduce, not to increase, the ego. To some seekers, even an informal practice of some good points of this ladder, as per one's circumstances and choice, may be helpful.
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Eleven stages of spiritual progress (1) Pratimā 1 or stage 1: It is called Darśana Pratimā.
A SamyagDrsti not interested in worldly physical pleasures, and ready to Ik on the spiritual path through the adoption of vows to minimize the necessities and diversions of body and mind, is to be considered at stage 1. The intensity of soul-soiling-passions is very less in this state as compared to that of a SamyagDrști without vows in 4" Guņasthāna.
It may also be noted that at this stage or before this stage the person becomes pious enough in terms of his/her conduct. For example, he/she is not
