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The Unknown Pilgrims
question and are subject to the same modifications as this matter as regards degree of manifestation and duration. 97
b) Gunasthānas: Successive stages of the spiritual journey
The guṇasthānas are the stages to be covered on the path leading to Liberation. This type of structured advance has probably been worked out in the course of centuries with the aim of precision; it is not found in the Agamas except in the Satkhandāgama98 and is not mentioned or explained in the Tattvårtha-sútra. By way of contrast, the far more recent texts such as the Karmagrantha accord it an important position. Each of these stages is called by a name that indicates the nature of the karmic dust which shrouds the faculties of the jiva and its degree of intensity; since it is by these stages that one journeys towards Deliverance, each one in turn marks a diminution of the passions and hence of karman and heralds an advance on the path. The fourteen gunasthānas are: 99 1. Mithyåtva, defective vision, a state of blindness, of erroneous beliefs, of lack of respect towards the arhats and spiritual masters.
2. Sāsvādana (sāsādana), a brief fall subsequent to a beginning on the way of right faith, occasioned by some passion.
3. Miśra or mixture, a state of instability and indecisiveness between the true and the false.
4. Avirata-samyak-drsti, a state of right vision, with relaxation, however, of renunciation so that advance is impeded 100
97 They are: "as it were, the reflection of karman on the soul..." Jacobi SBE XLV. p. 196, n. 2; cf. also US XXXIV, a detailed study of this subject: TS II, 6; III, 3; IV, 20-22; and KarmaG III, 21-22; 24; IV, 13; 23.
98 The Șaļkhandagama in the section called jivasthāna makes a study of 14 jivasamāsas, degrees of spiritual advancement, which correspond with the progressive destruction of karmas.
99 Cf. DravSam 13 and comm.; KarmG II, 2 and comm.
100 Mithyātva can be of 5 sorts, avirata of 7 sorts.
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