Sallekhana is Not Suicide

SR No.: 001568
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T K Tukol
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 1976
Total Pages: 124
Language: English
Classification: Book_English & Religion
File Size: 8 MB

Page 13

Jainism and Sallekhanā
gress of the soul and act as brakes in achieving success in different fields of human activities. They are the cause of ignorance, indecisiveness, infatuation and imbalance in thought, speech and action. The other type of Karma is the Aghātiya with its four varieties, namely, Ayuș, Nāma, Gotra and Vedanīya which respectively determine and regulate the dura. tion of life and matters allied to it; nature of personality such as body, height, size and colour; family, race etc.; and pleasures and pain in our life on earth.
Jainism believes in rebirth and so the consequences of our Karmas are dependent upon our own good and bad thoughts, words and deeds. Every living being is responsible for its own activities the consequences of which work out automatically. One cannot escape from one's Karmas except by experiencing their consequences, good or bad. The Karmas bear fruit and are therefore responsible for our Karmic bodies. Depending on the nature of the individual's Karma, the next life may be human or otherwise.
The goal of human endeavour is directed towards liberation from the various kinds of Karmas. The principles which indicate the process of liberation are seven, viz., Jīva, Ajīva, Asrava, Bandha, Saṁvara, Nirjarā and Mokșa. Reference has already been made to Jīva and Ajīva which are also called substances. When considered in combination with reference to Karma, they are included in the category of principles. Asrava is the movement of Karmic matter towards the soul, while Bandha denotes the stage of actual bondage of the soul with the Karmic matter. Before commencing the process of liberation, it is necessary that there should be a stoppage of the inflowing of new Karmas and this is called Samvara or the stoppage of fresh ties. Then starts the process of shedding Karmic matter which is designated as the principle of Nir. jara. The final goal which is the process of complete liberation is termed as Moksa.
Jainism recognises fourteen stages in the evolution of the soul from impurity to purity or complete liberation. The