A study of the philosophy of Jainism
by Deepa Baruah | 2017 | 46,858 words
This page describes the Bondage and Liberation from the study of the philosophy of Jainism: one of the oldest religions in India having its own metaphysics, philosophy and ethics. Jainism is regarded as an ethical system where non-violence features as an important ethical value.
Chapter V - Bondage and Liberation
- Sub-Contents: (+ / -)
Indian philosophy deals with various kinds of common ideas or thoughts. One of them is the idea of bondage and mokṣa. It is called paramapurūṣārtha of human existence. All the systems of Indian philosophy accept the idea of liberation or mokṣa as the highest aim of human life. Only the Cārvāka materialist does not believe in liberation. They regard dependence as release. According to them, pleasure and wealth is the supreme aim of human life. Liberation or mokṣa which is regarded as the highest value in Indian thought is nothing but the realization of the self. When the jīvātmā releases itself from the bondage of the chain of birth and death, then he attains liberation or mokṣa. Karman, bhakti and jñāna are regarded as the three ways for the attainment of this ultimate aim of human life, i.e. liberation by Indian philosophy. The jīvātmā can attains liberation by following any one of these three ways.