Studies in Jainology Prakrit Literature and Languages

Author(s): B K Khadabadi
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 37

22
Studies in Jainology. Prakrir
often highlighted the importance or significance of Savama in their respective works that have come down to us for centuries along. Let us, now, clucidate these reflections at some length :
· Jainism is envisaged as 'Ethical Rcalism', wherein an ideal path leading to human perfection or bliss is propounded by the Jina. This whole doctrine is wonderfully cpitomized by the great Umāsvāmi in a single sūtra in his Tativārtha-Sūtra (S.I.) :
“Samyagdarsana-jñāna-caritrani moksamärgah.”
Right Faith, Right Knowledge and Right Conduct constitute the Path leading to perfection, bliss or cmancipation. To have the Right Faith in and accomplish the Right Knowledge of the seven Principles (tattvas-jiva, ajīva etc.) laid down in Jainism, one has to possess a stable and resolute mind, for which Samyama is essential. Further, Right Conduct or Ethical Discipline, is of two kinds : Onc is prescribed for monks and the other for house, helders. Th. first consists of Five Great Vows or viriure's
pancamahāvrata - ahimsā, satya ctc.) and Eight Secondary Vows (5 Samitis and 3 guptis) of protective and regulative nature. The second consists of Five Small Vows (panca- anuvratas) and Seven Secondary Vows (3 gunavratas and 4 siksāvratas) of strengthening the regulative nature. The first kind of conduct is rigorous and the second moderate to suit the householder's life. In both the cases and in the practice of all vows, principle and secondary, Samyama plays its manifold roles with the required degree of rigour and stress and with certain objuctives.
Moreover in the 28 Basic virtues - mulagunas of the monk (enumerated with 11 categories in the Mūlācāra, Ch. I, gahā 3), and the 8 Basic Virtues - astamulagunas of the houscholder, described in the various works on Sravakācāra) as pre-requisito of Right Faith - Samyagdrsti, Samyama stands at their very roots. Further, the daily observance of Samayika (practice of equanimity), Kāyotsarga (Feeling of indifference to bodily cxistence), anuprcksa (objective meditation) etc. is nothing but regular practical exercise