Path of Liberation

The ultimate end and purpose of all life and activity is to realize the free and blissful state of our true being. True philosophy in Jainism should result in removing all impediments in the process of purification of the Soul.

Jainism holds that right faith (Samyak Darshan), right knowledge (Samyak Gyan) and right conduct (Samyak Charitrya) all the three (Ratna Trayi) must co-exist in a person if one is to make any progress on the path of liberation.

A. Right Faith (Samyak Darshan) : It consists in seeing the real nature of things truly. Jainism advocates that one should first try to know, comprehend, and grasp the nature of the reality, of one's own self, of religious goal and the path, analyze it, examine it, test it, and verify it, and then, if satisfied, be convinced of its truth and efficacy. From the practical point of view, faith in the nature of the reality means to know, Six Universal.

Substance and Nine Tattvas. For obtaining correct knowledge of these Tattvas one has to rely and put faith in the true scriptures (Agam) and its source Tirthankara.

B. Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyan) : Right faith or conviction makes us to realize the reality of life and the seriousness of our purpose in life. Right knowledge is the true, correct, proper, and relevant knowledge of the Tattvas. It represents the teaching of the Tirthankaras and is contained in the Agam scriptures. Right knowledge makes us examine in detail the matter brought in to the mind by right conviction. Of course, both are mental processes, the difference is in degree. Right knowledge must be free from three main defects, doubt, delusion, and indefiniteness.

There are five kinds of knowledge's :

Atigyan : Knowledge obtained by normal means of mind and senses.
Shrutgyan : Knowledge obtained through signs, Symbols, words. To know by hearing from wise and reading scriptures.

Avadhigyan : Direct knowledge of corporeal things without the means of senses and time and within some limit of space and time. It is a kind of spiritual knowledge or extra sensory perception. Manparyagyan: Direct knowledge of thoughts of others with in a certain limit of space and time without the means of mind and sense.

Kevalgyan : This knowledge completely reveals without the aid of senses and mind, the truth of all things, corporeal or non-corporeal, past, present and future of the whole universe. Keval knowledge id the nature of the soul and it dawns when the four Ghati karma's are completely exhausted. Once this states is realized it becomes certain that the Soul will attain final liberation when the remaining span of life comes to an end. The Tirthankaras are such persons possessing Kevalgyan.

C : Right Conduct (Samyak Charitrya) : Proper, correct, appropriate, and truly natural conduct of the Soul is known as Right Conduct. The main purpose for a person is to free himself from attachment and aversion that is from all the impure activities of thoughts, word, and deed and attain the state of thoughts, word and deed, and the state of perfect equanimity. For partial purpose, right conduct compromises the ethical code, rules and disciplines which aspirant is required to pursue.

This resolves into taking the five vows of ascetic or house-holder.
Ahimsa : Non-violence
Satya : Truth
Achurya : Non-stealing
Bhramacharya : Chastity
Aparigraha : Non-possession
Right faith and Right knowledge are required for Right Conduct and all are inter dependent.

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