Harmless Soul

SR No.: 001196
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: W J Johnson, Dayanand Bhargav
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1995
Total Pages: 372
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Principle
File Size: 20 MB

Page 54

40 Harmless Souls
ii) Ascetic and non-ascetic actions and karma 'Arambha', however, soon begins to acquire a more technical meaning, denoting 'purposive', 'deliberate' or 'premeditated action'. This is particularly evident in the fifth Anga of the Svetambara canon, the Bhagavai Viyahapannatti (Bhagavati Vyākhyāprajñapti).107 There, actions (kiriyā, Sk. kriyā) are described as being:
(1) purposive (ārambhiyā kiriyā), (2) appropriative (pariggahiyā kiriyā), (3) emotional (māyā-vattiyā kiriyā), (4) implying nonrenunciation (apaccakkhāṇa-kiriyā) or (5) implying heresy
(micchādamsaṇa-kiriyā).108
In other words, kiriya is here used as a term for all actions, while arambha is reserved for purposive, harming activity directed towards other beings. 109 In spite of the negative nature of the above list (5.6.2), it is clear from other passages in the Viyahapannatti that kiriyā is in itself a karmically neutral term. That is to say, we are now presented with a perception that all action is not necessarily harming, and thus binding, simply because it is action (i.e., the position I inferred to be the earliest ascetic one has now been modified). This is made explicit at Viyāhapannatti 7 7.1, which reads, in Deleu's summary:
When a monk who is closed [against karmic influx] (samvuḍa aṇagāra) moves and handles his equipment in an attentive way (auttam) he commits an action in agreement with his religious duties (iriyavahiyā kiriyā), not a profane action (samparāiyā
Text PTS, eds. D. Andersen & H. Smith, 1913; trans. V. Fausboll, SBE Vol. X, Pt. 2, p. 24 (Oxford 1881).
107 The Viyahapannatti is a long, incoherent compilation of material, some of which is probably very early - see Deleu (1970). 108 Deleu's (1970) summary of Viy. V 6.2; cf. Schubring 1962, p.
199.
109 See Deleu (1970) on Viy. V 7.7. On kiriyā being employed when concrete actions are referred to, see Schubring 1962, para. 99 (p. 198).