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teachings and control over vices like greed, anger etc. But contemplation is most important of all these internal austerities. Contemplation is concentration of mind on a certain object. The object of contemplation should be religious (dharma) and pure (sukla). Through religious contemplation which consists of concentration of mind to the truths revealed in the scriptures, perception is purified and steadfastness in the observance of the rules of conduct is strengthened. The pure meditation leads to final emancipation through different stages of spiritual advancement.
All these ethical regulations lead the monk to final liberation through different stages of advancement. This has been enunciated in the doctrine of Guna-sthana. There are fourteen guṇasthānas i.e. fourteen stages of advancement which begin from the stage of mithyatva and ends with stage of ayogakevalin. Through these stages the seeker advances by degrees in true knowledge, in firmness of belief, in control of passion and in sarvara and nirjară and becomes pure and purer in successive stages. Finally, he obtains liberation after reaching the fourteenth stage i.e. ayogakevalin when he is liberated from the bondage of karma. Liberation is a stage of perfection-perfect knowledge, perfect bliss, perfect power and disincarnate.
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1. Jacobi, H. Lord Mahavira in the Eyes of Foreigners, p. 16. Barua, B. M. - A History of Pre-Buddhistic Indian Philosophy 1981, p. 380-381.
Ibid p. 381.
Ibid - p. 383.
Jacobi, H. S.B.E. XLV p. 27
Ibid - p. 32
Ibid - p. 30
567
Jain Ethics
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133
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