doctrine of karma by sramaniji chaitanya pragyaji

Samani Dr. Chaitanya Prajna

Associate Professor, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun, INDIA

&

Visiting Professor, Florida International University, Miami, USA

Hinduism

The words “Jain” and “Jainism” have been derived from the word “Jina” i.e. Arihanta, Kevali or Tirthankar.

The followers of Jinas are known as Jains.

The teachings of the Jinas is known as Jainism

Jinas are enlightened or awakened prophets.

Jinas are omniscient: the knower of past, present & future

Jinas are renunciate and live completely non-violent life.

Jinas are dispassionate , free from all passions: anger, ego, deceit and greed and also free from all kinds of attachment and hatred.

Destroyer of Karmas: Jinas destroy all the karmas and liberate from the worldly existence after Nirvan, final death and never reincarnate.

Jinas are God to the Jains, but in spiritual sense and not in the sense of creator, savior and destroyer of the world.

Hinduism: Sthitprajna & Jeevanmukta

Buddhism: Bodhisattva & Arhat

Who is Jina?

The Jinas who establishe “Tirth”- religious congregation including monks, nuns and lay followers (male & female) , are recognized as “Tirthankara”.

First Tirthankar – Bhagawan Rishabh (born and liberated in the end of third era of the present epoch)

Last Tirthankar – Bhagawan Mahavir (599-527 BC)

Ancient Names of Jain Religion

• Jainism is one of the most ancient religions of the world. It has been recognized by different names in different times:

1. Shraman Dharma: The Religion of renunciates around 27th c. BCE

2. Vratya Dharma : Religion of vows around 15th c. BCE

3. Arhat Dharma : Religion of Arhat, enlightened one

4. Nirgranth : Religion of the conqueror of attachment and hatred around 6th c. BCE

5. Jain Dharma : Religion propounded by Jinas from 5th or 7th c. CE onward

• Jainism has done special contribution to the following branches of knowledge:

1.Metaphysics

2.Ethics

3.Mathematics

4.Epistemology

5.Karma Theory and Cosmology

Contribution of Jainism

Theory of karma is unique in Jainism. It is unique for the following reasons:

• Karma is not mere impression of our good and bad action on our soul but it is a psycho-physical energy which affects one’s present and future life.

• Karma is one among the five factors: Time, Nature of things, Karma, Self-effort and Determinism and not the sole factor which affects our life.

• Karma is a power but not almighty which we cannot challenge/change. One can bring change in the effect and duration of the karmas attached.

Theory of Karma

“Karma is the subtle physical energy which gets attracted and attached to a soul of an individual

by his own good and bad actions.”

Definition of Karma

• There are eight types of karmic energy in the environment:

• Jñānāvaraņīya Karma i.e. Knowledge-covering energy

• Darśanāvarņīya Karma i.e. Intuition-covering energy

• Mohanīya Karma i.e. Attitude and conduct deluding energy

• Antarāya Karma i.e. Obstacle-creating energy

• Vedanīya Karma i.e. Pain and pleasure producing energy

• Āyuṣya Karma i.e. Life-span determining energy

• Nāma Karma i.e. Body-shaping energy

• Gotra Karma i.e. Status-determining energy

Types of Karma

The effect of karma is identified in four ways:

• Covering• Deluding• Blocking• Causing favorable and unfavorable situations

Effect of Karma

• The following eight similes help understand clearly the role of each individual karma in one’s life:

• Knowledge-covering karma is compared with the eyes covered with the piece of cloth. As the cover does not allow to see things outside so is the karma. It does not allow one to know everything and anything thing directly.

• Intuition-covering karma is compared with the watchman who restricts one to enter into the house. This karma restricts soul to intuit things before they happen.

• Attitude and conduct deluding karma is compared with the drinking of alcohol. As an alcoholic is not able to discriminate between right and wrong so is the karma. Because of Mohaniya karma individual looses his power of discrimination between right and wrong and often chooses what is wrong.

• Obstacle creating karma is compared with the treasurer. Inspite of getting permission from the king if the treasurer is not ready one cannot get money from the treasure. This karma creates obstacle in one’s life inspite of being able and putting hard effort one does not get the success one deserves.

The Role of Karma

Continued…..

• Pain-pleasure producing karma is compared with the test of the sword smeared with the honey. As the sword gives sweet test and also cuts the tong so is the karma. This karma is responsible for both pain and pleasure in one’s life.

• Life-span determining karma is compared with the shackle which binds the soul of an individual in a particular form of life. It fixes the quality of birth and determines life-span.

• Body-shaping karma is compared with the potter who gives different shapes to different pots. Similarly, body-shaping karma is responsible for the physical difference of an individual.

• Status determining karma is compared with the painter who makes beautiful and ugly pictures. Good or bad status of an individual in society is determined by Gotra karma.

There are five main causes of karmic bondage:

• Mithyatva: Ignorance about the true self• Avrata: Lack of control on sensuous desire• Pramada: Lack of spiritual awareness and

effort• Kasaya: Aggressive emotions• Yoga: Indulgence in activities

Cause of Karma

The karmic bondage takes place at four levels:

• Nature • Duration • Intensity• Quantity

Level of Karmic Bondage

Jainism is a soul oriented philosophy and religion

The ultimate goal of human life is to get liberation from karmic bondage.

Three Jewels: Three-fold Path to Liberation

Samyak Darshna: Right Faith

Samyak Jnana: Right Knowledge

Samyak Charitra: Right Conduct

Path to Liberation from Karma

Deep faith in the independent existence of the soul

Soul exists

It is eternal

Worldly soul is bound by karma

Karma is the cause of rebirth

Karma can be destroyed

One who destroys karma can attain Moksha, eternal peace, bliss and divine consciousness.

RIGHT FAITH

RIGHT KNOWLEDGE

World = Living + Non-living

Soul (jiva)

Mundane Liberated

Mobile Immobile

2,3,4 and 5 sensed beings

One sensed beings

Earth Water Fire VegetableAir

AJIVA (NON-LIVING)

Dharmastikaya: Medium of motion

Adharmastikaya: Medium of rest

Akasastikaya: Space

Kala: Time

Pudgalastikaya: Matter and energy

RIGHT CONDUCT

Layman-life

Anuvrata “Small vows”

1. Non-Violence (Ahimsa)

2. Truthfulness (Satya)

3. Non-Stealing (Asteya)

4. Celibacy (Brahmacharya)

5. Non-Possession (Aparigrah)

1. To avoid unnecessary violence (Sthula Ahimsa)

2. To avoid harmful lie (Sthula Satya)

3. Non-Stealing or Honesty (Sthula Asteya)

4. To be content with the married one (Svadara-santosha)

5. Limitation of wants ( Iccha- parimana)

Ascetic-life

Mahavrata “Complete vows”

Thanks

JAY JINENDRA