Jaina Philosophy and Religion

SR No.: 001604
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nyayavijay
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 500
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Epistemology
File Size: 12 MB

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Jaina Philosophy and Religion
wrong understanding gropes in the dark and in vain. Workings and designs of delusion are beyond the ken of our understanding. In support of this fact, one will come across in the world infinite queer and unintelligible instances. Of the eight karmas, this plays a leading role in blurring and perverting all-knowing all-seeing pure nature of the soul. This karma is of two types -- one that obstructs soul's natural inclination towards what is real and good, and the other that hampers its good and wholesome conduct.
5. Longevity-determining karma has four types according as it determines the longevity of celestial beings, of human beings, of animal beings and of infernal beings. A man whose legs are bound with a chain cannot move to some other place till he is not freed from the chain. Similarly, a soul who is bound with a particular longevity-determined karma and born in a particular birth with longevity determined by that karma cannot transmigrate to another birth till it has not fully enjoyed that determined longevity of the present birth.
6. Body-making karma has many types and sub-types. In short, on this karma depends the beauty or ugliness of the body, good or bad bodily structure, fair or dark complexion, attractive or harsh voice, fame or infamy, etc. Again, on account of this karma, the soul is born in one of the four main species, viz. gods, humans, animals and hell-beings and in one of the five classes of beings, viz. the one-sensed up to the five-sensed. This karma creates varied bodily forms, colour-shades and structures just as a painter creates varied good or bad pictures. On account of the auspicious body-making karma, the soul acquires good body. And on
at of the inauspicious body-making karma, it acquires bad body. 7. Status-determining karma is divided into two sub-types, viz. the higherstatus-determining and the lower-status-determining. On account of this karma, the soul is born in the praiseworthy or blameworthy country, in the cultured or uncultured family.
8. Obstructive karma puts obstacles in soul's efforts to achieve various objectives. Though one knows religion and is rich, one cannot donate because of the operation of this karma. Though one is not free from attachment towards worldly objects and is rich and has all the means of pleasure at his disposal, one cannot enjoy those objects on account of this karma. Though one intelligently makes various attempts, one cannot succeed in his business or incurs losses on account of this karma. Though one possesses healthy body, one cannot make use of it and become