Three jewels (Jainism)
In Jainism, the three jewels correspond to the three pillars on which the entire Jain teaching structure rests. They were proclaimed by Mahavira as principles that are understood as successive steps, but interlocking and mutually dependent. These principles summarize the prerequisites that are considered necessary for successfully following the Jain path of practice. As such, they are indispensable in Jainism for achieving the goal of salvation aimed at in this teaching: the final liberation from the painful cycle of rebirths ( moksha ).
Three jewels
- "Right Perception" (samyak darshan) includes the student's trust in the truthfulness of the Jain teachings and their willingness to study the scriptures, to review, to accept teachings, to reflect and to put them into practice. He should learn to distinguish true from false knowledge in order to free himself from all superstitions and to gain a clear awareness of reality, which enables him to be able to walk the path to salvation in a targeted manner.
- The student draws “right knowledge” (samyak jnan) from a deeper insight based on direct experience. An understanding of the teaching content that is acquired in meditative viewing leads them beyond the status of pure theory. The doctrines are thus confirmed in their own experience and thereby strengthen the student's conviction that they are on the right path. He sees things as they are.
- "Right way of life" (samyak charitra) means ethical action, in particular the observance of the five Jainist vows (vratas) : (1) non-violence ( ahimsa ), (2) truthfulness (satya) , (3) honorable action (asteya) , (4 ) Celibacy (brahmacharya) and (5) lack of property (aparigraha) .
According to Mahavira, only the implementation of all three principles leads to success. On the other hand, adhering to only one of these guidelines without taking the others into account to the same degree creates an imbalance and counteracts the desired goal.