TRIRATNA IN JAINISM

Triratna in Jainism is the three basic components or the

three jewels that together constitute the path to
liberation i.e. ‘Mokshamarga’. The Jain philosophy
asserts that a person obtains everlasting happiness only
when Karma is completely eradicated from the soul.
Each soul can attain liberation, a supreme spiritual state,
by realizing its intrinsic purity and perfection.
''Tattvartha Sutra'', a sacred text of Jainism by Acharya
Umaswami, insistently states a rule of ‘Samyag
Darsana-Jnana-Charitrani Mokshamarga’. Hence, the
three jewels are:

1. Samyag Darsana (Right Faith or Perception),

2. Samyag Jnana (Right Knowledge) and
3. Samyag Charitra (Right Conduct).

Characteristic Features of Triratna

The ethical code prescribed by Jainism is based on this
three-fold path of liberation. Hence, it is necessary to
see the appropriate characteristics of the ‘Triratna’
which constitute that path. They are as follows:
1. Samyag Darsana: Right Belief forms the basis upon
which the other two jewels, viz. Right Knowledge and
Right Conduct, rest. Hence it has been laid down that
one must, by all possible means, first attain Right
Belief. This is the basic conviction in the fundamentals
of Jainism because it has been asserted that only on the
acquisition of Right Belief, the Knowledge and Conduct
become right.

2. Samyak Jnana: It is considered that on attaining

Right Belief, one should strive after Right Knowledge.
Right Knowledge has been described in Jain scriptures
as "that knowledge which reveals the nature of things
neither insufficiently (Naya), nor with exaggeration, nor
falsely, but exactly as it is and with certainty
(Pramana)". It has also been stated that Right
Knowledge consists in having full comprehension of
the real nature of soul and matter.

3. Samyak Charitra: After Right Belief and Right

Knowledge, the third, but the most important path to the
goal or Moksha, is Right Conduct. In Jainism, utmost
importance is attached to the Right Conduct. Conduct
becomes perfect only when it is in tune with Right
Belief and Right Knowledge. It is, therefore, the
importance of Right Conduct in the process of self
realization consists in the fact that it is only when Right
Knowledge based on Right Belief is translated into
practical and spiritual discipline that the path of
emancipation of soul from the cycle of births and deaths
becomes smooth.

Right Faith or Perception creates an awareness of

reality or truth, Right Knowledge impels the person to
right action, and Right Conduct leads him to the
attainment of liberation. They must coexist in a person
if he is to make any progress on the path of liberation.
The absence of one makes the ascent impossible.