15 WAYS TO BECOME SIDDHA

Jain philosophy describes that the process of liberation can happen in various ways just as we can reach New York from many different directions. There are fifteen different ways one can attain liberation.

1 Jina Siddha: In this process, an individual acquires Tirthankar Karma, which is a part of the body making Karma (Nam-karma) in the third life from the last. The individual becomes a Tirthankar in the last life, re-establishes the Jain congregation, and then attains liberation.

Examples: All the Tirthankars, to name a few, Lord Rishabha, Lord Ajitnath, Lord Shantinath, Lord Neminath, Lord Parshva, and Lord Mahavir, etc.

02 Ajina Siddha: This way, a person does not gain the Tirthankar Karma but becomes Kevali (Omniscient) and attains liberation. Example: Gautamswami

03 Tirtha Siddha: In this category, the individual attains liberation, after taking the shelter under the Jain congregation established by the Tirthankar.

04 Atirtha Siddha: In this, one becomes Kevali even before the Jain congregation is established by a Tirthankar, and also attains liberation before the Jain congregation is established. Example: Mother Marudevi and Lord Bahubali.

05 Gruhastha ling Siddha: These are the people who may live life as a householder but from within they are totally detached. They do not have any attachment or hatred for the things happening around them and as their level of spiritual attitude improves, they eliminate destructive karma and become Arihantas. If their life span karma is exhausted then they go to the salvation in about one intra Indian hour (Antarmuhurta) or if their life span is longer, they take up monk-hood and may oblige the world by spreading religion until their nirvana and liberation. Example: Sovereign king Bharat, Kurmaputra etc.

06 Anya ling Siddha: Any saintly person observing the right code of conduct, has the right faith and the right knowledge, and puts them to practice can attain liberation. Example: Valkalchiri, who was the ascetic of the other religious group

07 Sva ling Siddha: A monk who is practicing the right faith, right knowledge and right conduct and attains liberation. Example: Lord Rama, Monk Prasannachandra etc.

08 Purusha ling Siddha: This is when a man attains liberation.

09 Stree ling Siddha: This is when a woman attains liberation. Example: Lord Mallinath, Mother Marudevi, Chandanbala, Mrugavatiji, etc.

10 Napunsak ling Siddha: When a person with neutral gender attain liberation. Example: Monk Gangeya

11 Pratyeka Buddha Siddha: In this case, a person by self-awareness eliminates the destructive karma triggered by the reason of the surrounding or old age and becomes Kevali then becomes Siddha. Example: Monk Karkandu, Lord Hanuman, etc.

12 Svayam Buddha Siddha: In this case, a person by self-inspiration eliminates destructive karma and becomes Kevali then ultimately becomes Siddha. Example: Kapil Kevali

13 Buddha bodhit Siddha: When some one gets enlightened by a spiritual teacher, then renounces the world and then follows flawless life, attains liberation and become a Siddha. Example: Gautamswami, Vayubhuti etc.

14 Eka Siddha: Here only one soul (person) attains liberation at a time among the group of the monks and nuns. Example: Lord Mahavir

15 Aneka Siddha: Many monks attain liberation together at the same time. This means that it so happened that those who attained salvation together had their lives ended at the same time. Example: Lord Rishabha and other monks with him

Therefore, from here it will be now clearer that salvation definitely does not have set boundaries. It depends on the individual capacity and the surroundings, which make it easier to attain salvation. One attaining the salvation may fall into one or more than one of the above categories. As Jainism teaches us to be a compassionate, honest, humble person and control passions to achieve salvation, anybody; Jain or non-Jain following this type of life can also achieve salvation. As per Jainism, the practice matters.