The Truth

Author(s): O P Jain
Publisher: Veer Nirvan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 61

THE TRUTH
left behind every time the soul leaves the body. Desire to possess them is, therefore, based on wrong convictions and results in various types of passions. Right faith is, therefore, the conviction that my soul is separate from all external objects, attachment to which only results in unhappiness. With such a conviction, it will be easier to follow the Right Conduct.
A person with right faith fulfills eight requirements and believes only in True Devas, True scriptures and True Teachers and is free from three kinds of error and eight kinds of pride.
True Deva is one who is Vitaraga, Omniscient and well-wisher of all living beings. Vitaraga is one who does not suffer from hunger, thirst, senility, disease, birth and death, fear, anger, deceit, greed, pride, hatred, worry, conceit, infatuation, uneasiness and surprize. A person having above qualities alone can be the true well-wisher as he has no weaknesses left. Only such a Deva is worth adoration and can be called 'Hitopadesi’. The Tirthamkaras possessed the above qualities.
The word of the above kind of Deva will naturally be the true scripture as it comes from one who is omniscient and is free from all weaknesses. Such teachings are never in conflict with valid knowledge, are not couched in mythological language and reveal the true nature of things. These teachings are meant for all living beings-- what to say of excluding the so-called low castes. Being based on mercy and ahimsa, they can never inculcate, directly or indirectly, the taking of life for sacrifice or food. They tend to protect and advance the interests of all kinds of living beings. The other great quality of true scriptures is that they are capable of destroying falsehood and establish True Faith, because they are so rational, free from dogma, go deep into the nature of the Universe and its substances in a scientific manner, that all forms of error, doubt and ignorance are removed.
A true teacher is one who has no desires for sensual pleasures, who has renounced all worldly occupations and possessions and who is always absorbed in study, meditation and self contemplation.
It is obvious, a person with right faith can have no reverence for those who do not possess the above qualities, for these are the very qualities which he aspires to develop. They form the ideal for him.
The eight requirements of right faith are :
(i) Unshakable faith in the seven tattavas. (ii) No desire for sensual enjoyment.