The doctrine of the “three jewels” — Right belief, Right knowledge and Right conduct — is regarded as the crowning glory of which religion?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Jainism

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Many religions summarise their core path to liberation or salvation in a concise doctrinal formula. In Jainism, the spiritual path is famously described in terms of three essential elements called the “three jewels” or “ratnatraya”: Right belief, Right knowledge and Right conduct. Recognising which religion this doctrine belongs to helps you distinguish Jain teachings from those of Buddhism and other faiths, especially because both Jainism and Buddhism emerged in similar historical contexts in India.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The key phrase is “three jewels” defined as Right belief, Right knowledge and Right conduct.
  • The options list Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism and a generic “None of these.”
  • We assume learners may also know that Buddhism speaks of the “Three Jewels” (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), which are conceptually different.
  • The question aims to see if you can correctly match the Jain formulation with its religious tradition.


Concept / Approach:
In Jainism, the “three jewels” (ratnatraya) are Right faith or Right belief (samyak-darshana), Right knowledge (samyak-jnana) and Right conduct (samyak-charitra). Together, they describe the path by which a soul can free itself from karmic bondage and attain liberation (moksha). Buddhism also uses the phrase “Three Jewels,” but there it refers to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha rather than to belief, knowledge and conduct. Christianity has different central doctrines and does not use this three-jewel terminology. Therefore, the correct answer here is Jainism.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the specific formulation in the question: Right belief, Right knowledge and Right conduct. Step 2: Recall that in Jainism these three are collectively called ratnatraya or the three jewels, forming the core of the path to liberation. Step 3: Distinguish this from Buddhism, where the Three Jewels are Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, not belief, knowledge and conduct. Step 4: Recognise that Christianity uses doctrinal concepts like the Holy Trinity and faith in Christ, but does not frame its teachings around this specific triplet. Step 5: Evaluate the “None of these” option and see that Jainism explicitly matches the description, making “None of these” incorrect. Step 6: Conclude that the three jewels described in the question belong to Jainism.


Verification / Alternative check:
Introductions to Jain philosophy consistently state that the path to liberation rests on the three jewels of Right view, Right knowledge and Right conduct. They explain that without proper belief in Jain teachings, correct understanding of reality and disciplined ethical behaviour, progress toward moksha is not possible. Books on comparative religion also highlight this as a distinctive Jain doctrine, contrasting it with the Buddhist Three Jewels, which focus on refuge rather than on this particular triad of belief, knowledge and conduct.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Buddhism: Its “Three Jewels” are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, a different triad with different meanings.
  • Christianity: Centred on faith in Christ, grace and doctrines such as the Trinity, not on the ratnatraya of belief, knowledge and conduct in the Jain sense.
  • None of these: Incorrect because Jainism specifically matches the doctrine described.


Common Pitfalls:
A common source of confusion is that both Buddhism and Jainism use the phrase “three jewels,” but they refer to different concepts. Some students may see the phrase and immediately think of Buddhism without reading the specific elements listed. To avoid this mistake, always check the components: if the three items are Right belief, Right knowledge and Right conduct, the religion is Jainism.


Final Answer:
The doctrine of the “three jewels” — Right belief, Right knowledge and Right conduct — is the crowning glory of Jainism.

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