Religion and Philosophy of the Jainas

SR No.: 001190
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Virchand R Gandhi
Publisher: Jain International Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1993
Total Pages: 266
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, Ethics, & Principle
File Size: 13 MB

Page 212

STAGES OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
179 pleasures. Persons in this stage, while they do not have this selfcontrol, still they do appreciate the value of self-control but through weakness they are not able to practise it. These living beings can be classed under three heads :
1. These (a) know the value of self-control, but (b) they do not make the effort to acquire it, and (c) they do not actually practise the things which constitute self-control. In illustration of this class of persons the Indian Prince Sreņika was given.
2. These (a) know the value of self-control, (b) do not make the effort to acquire it, but (c) are actually doing the things which are done when self-control is possessed and practised.
There are certain devas and they are classed under ‘avirati' because their practice of the things which constitute control is due merely to their circumstances and not to their own individual control of the desires. That is to say, their non-indulgence is not due to self-control. No human beings are in this second class. The faculty of control is not present, is not able to operate, when the living being is in a vaikriya or subtle body. If a desire becomes active it is at once satisfied, the person does not have the power of self-control (it is of course potential or inoperative).
3. These (a) know the value of self-control, (b) make the effort to acquire it, but (c) are too weak and so they do not practise selfcontrol. They make the effort but fail. Causes of Karmas Operative in 4th Stage
In this fourth stage of development there are 46 out of the 57 causes of karma already described, operative. Those which are inoperative are :
5 Kinds of mithyātva 4 Anantānubandhis Ahāraka yoga
Ahāraka miśra yoga making eleven inoperative causes, called 'hetu'. 'Hetu' is the means, the instrumental cause.
The āhāraka body cannot be produced without perfect control of the sense pleasures, etc.