What is Jainism

SR No.: 006714
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Champat Rai Jain
Publisher: Champat Rai Jain
Total Pages: 210
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 11 MB

Page 185

THE JAINA THEORY OF KARMA
175 The fusion of spirit and matter results in the production of eight different kinds of forces, namely :
(1) those which obstruct knowledge (jnānavarniya), (2) those which interfere with perception (darśanavarniya), (3) those that obstruct right beliefs or faith (mohaniya), (4) those that regulate the experiences of pleasure and pain
(vedaniya), (5) those which are responsible for the organising of the different
kinds of bodies and bodily limbs (nama karmas), 6) those that determine the duration of life (ayah karmas), (7) those that determine the gotra -- lineage, etc.,--of the indivi
dual) gotra karmas), and (8) those which interfere with the doing of what is desired
and prevent effectiveness generally (antarāya karmas). Observation shows that these are the only eight particulars in respect of which living beings differ from one another, though there are many subdivisions of karmic energies under each head. Of these eight kinds of forces, those that obstruct knowledge, perception, faith (that is to say, right convictions or beliefs), and power are called ghatiya karmas, because they obstruct, limit and suspend the operation of the natural functions of the soul-substance. The others are called aghatiya la, not+ghātiya, obstructive), because they do not interfere with the natural attributes of the soul, but are concerned with the organising of the different kinds of bodies and with such matters and things---longevity, status, etc., etc.,—that depend on them. The bondage of the soul consists primarily in the former, because they are inimical to its well-being, and though the latter also stand in the way of one's reaching nirvana, they are, as it were, only the offspring of the former on whose destruction they come to an end, in due course of time, like the flame of a lamp on the exhaustion of its oil.
How are these karmas engendered ? and how may they be destroyed ? are the next important problems in the metaphysics of Life. These are the questions which have given rise to what are technically known as tattvas (essentials or ultimate points, i.e., - subjects).