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JAINA PSYCHOLOGY
emancipation of the soul from matter is possible by two means, The influx of new karmic particles must be stopped and the accumulated karmas must be eliminated.
The material particles that take the form of karma can be viewed from four angles: according to their nature, length of duration, intensity of fruition, and quantity. The nature and quantity of karmic atoms depend upon the activities of body, mind, and speech. The length of duration and the intensity of fruition depend upon passions. 1
NATURE OF KARMA
According to the Jaina doctrine of karma, karmic atoms are classified into eight fundamental types: comprehension-obscuring (jñānāvarana) karma, apprehension-obscuring (darśanāvarana) karma, feeling-producing (vedanīya) karma, deluding (mohanīya) karma, age-determining (äyus) karma, physique-making (nāman) karma, status-determining (gotra) karma, and power-obscuring (antarāya) karma.2 Karma, as we have already stated, obscures as well as distorts the natural characteristics of the self. Our worldly status is wholly dependent upon the eight main types of karma. The type that obstructs the faculty of comprehension is known as comprehension-obscuring karma. The type that obscures the faculty of apprehension is called apprehension-obscuring karma. The type which produces pleasure and pain is called feeling-producing karma. The karma that obstructs right belief and right conduct is known as deluding karma. The karma that determines life-longevity is called age-determining karma. The type of karma which constructs our body is called physique-making karma. The karma through which our position in society is destined is known as status-determining karma. The type that impedes the infinite energy of the self is called power-obscuring karma.
Of these eight types, the four, viz., comprehension-obscuring karma, apprehension-obscuring karma, deluding karma, and powerobscuring karma are obstructive (ghātin), whereas the remaining four are non-obstructive (aghātin). Of the obstructive types, some are completely obscuring, while others are partially obscuring. There
1 Jogā payaçlipaesam, țhiiaņubhāgas kasāyāo. Karma-grantha, V, 96. 2 Karma-grantha, 1, 3.
| SR No. | 006570 |
| Book Title | Jaina Psychology |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Mohanlal Mehta |
| Publisher | Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar |
| Publication Year | 1955 |
| Total Pages | 238 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 13 MB |