Gunasthana

Fourteen stages

Gunasthana refers to the various stages of spiritual development in Jainism, a major ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence, truth, and asceticism. The concept of Gunasthana is central to understanding the spiritual progress and liberation path within Jain philosophy. There are fourteen Gunasthanas, each representing a different level of purity, knowledge, perception, and potential for liberation. These stages are not just theoretical constructs but are practical steps on the path of spiritual evolution in Jainism.

Overview

In Jainism, the soul is believed to be bound by karma, which is accumulated through actions and thoughts. The purification of the soul and liberation (Moksha) is achieved by overcoming these karmic bonds. The Gunasthanas are a systematic representation of this purification process. Each stage marks a significant advancement in a soul's journey towards ultimate liberation.

The Fourteen Stages

The fourteen stages of Gunasthana are:

1. Mithyatva: The stage of wrong belief. A soul in this stage does not believe in the true nature of the soul, karma, and the principles of Jainism.
2. Sasvadana-samyagdrishti: The stage of mixed belief, where one starts to develop a right belief but is not stable and fluctuates.
3. Misradrsti: The stage of mixed vision, where right belief is present but not predominant.
4. Avirata-samyagdrishti: The stage of right belief without total self-control. Individuals in this stage believe in Jain principles but have not yet fully practiced them.
5. Desavirata: The stage of partial self-control. Here, a person practices self-control but not in all aspects of life.
6. Pramatta-samyata: The stage of partial self-control with occasional lapses.
7. Apramatta-samyata: The stage of complete self-control without lapses.
8. Apurvakarana: The stage where new karmas are not being attracted, and old karmas begin to shed.
9. Anivrittikarana: The stage of intense shedding of karmas.
10. Sukshma-samparaya: The stage of subtle delusion, where only the most subtle deluding karmas remain.
11. Upshant-moha: The stage of suppressed delusion, where deluding karmas are suppressed to a point of near non-existence.
12. Kshina-moha: The stage of destroyed delusions, where all deluding karmas have been destroyed.
13. Sayogi-kevali: The stage of omniscience with activity. At this stage, the soul has complete knowledge and perception but is still engaged in some form of activity.
14. Ayogi-kevali: The final stage of omniscience without any activity. The soul is completely free from all karmic bonds and achieves liberation.

Significance

The concept of Gunasthana is significant in Jainism as it provides a detailed roadmap for spiritual progress. It emphasizes the importance of right belief, knowledge, and conduct in achieving liberation. The stages also highlight the Jain belief in the potential for every soul to achieve liberation through systematic effort and self-discipline.

Conclusion

The Gunasthanas offer a profound insight into the Jain path of spiritual purification and liberation. By understanding and progressing through these stages, practitioners of Jainism aim to free themselves from the cycle of birth and death and achieve a state of eternal bliss and knowledge. Template:Jain-stub