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How does Niyamasara address the three jewels (ratnatraya) of Jainism?

Niyamasara unfolds the ratnatraya—samyak darshana (right faith), samyak jnana (right knowledge) and samyak charitra (right conduct)—as intertwined strands of a single rope guiding toward liberation. First, right faith blossoms through the text’s vivid portrayal of the soul’s innate purity. By dismantling worldly attachments and showing how karmic veils cloud perception, it encourages an unshakeable trust in the self’s radiant core. This echoes today’s mindfulness movement, which urges peeling back layers of distraction to glimpse deeper awareness.

Next, right knowledge is presented not as mere intellectual grasp but as lived understanding. Detailed analyses of the five karmas in Niyamasara read like a 21st-century ethics manual—highlighting cause and effect with precision that rivals modern behavioral science. A fresh English translation published in 2025 even draws parallels between karmic influx and contemporary data-tracking, nudging readers to question how every thought and action leaves a trace.

Finally, right conduct emerges through meticulous discipline of body, speech and mind. The scripture’s emphasis on niyama—inner restraints—moves beyond rote vows, framing them as practical tools for daily life. Whether navigating today’s social media storms or making choices around sustainable living, these guidelines still ring true. The idea that every word can heal or harm resonates with recent conversations about digital civility.

Rather than treating the jewels as separate gems, Niyamasara weaves them into a living tapestry: faith brightens knowledge, knowledge clarifies conduct, and conduct reinforces faith. This dynamic interplay feels surprisingly fresh—like discovering a centuries-old playbook for modern challenges. It stands as a reminder that genuine transformation isn’t a sprint but a steady walk, where each step is both a lesson and a testament to the three jewels’ enduring power.