Book Title: Treatise on Jainism
Author(s): Jayantibhai S Sanghvi
Publisher: S J Sanghvi

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Page 101
________________ CHAPTER V THE FOURTEEN GUNASTHANAS (SPIRITUAL STAGES) According to Jain Philosophy there are 14 Spiritual Stages (Gunasthanas) of thoughtactivities, which a soul, desirous of being liberated and of attaining perfection has to pass through. The 14 Spiritual Stages which trace the progress of the soul from delusion to a condition of perfection are useful as a practical preliminary. In its highest essence the soul neither needs nor is capable of any divisions or stages; it is always itself infinite. The 14 Spiritual Stages are : (1) Mithyatva, Wrong Belief, Delusion. The thought-activity of the soul due to the operation of the Right-Belief-Deluding Karmas. In this, the soul does not believe in the Right Path to Liberation. All 28 (3 & 25) sub-classes of Mohaneeya i.e. Deluding Karma may be present in this first and lowest stage. From here the soul always goes to the 4th Gunasthana. 6 Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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