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

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ESSAYS AND ADDRESSES what is the force which prevents us from the enjoyment of our natural attributes, and how is it generated ? .. Now, it is obvious that the functions of a substance cannot be limited, modified or curtailed, except by some other substance. It follows, therefore, that if the soul is unable to exercise its natural functions, its inability to do so must be due to the harmful influence of some other substance with which it must be associated. The Jaina Siddhanta points out that matter is the substance which gets into combination with spirit and thereby gives rise to various kinds of forces, restricting and curtailing the natural properties and functions of the soul.
The rule is that with every movement or action - whether physical, mental or vocal-there is an influx of material particles towards the soul, which combines with the incoming material under the influence of its desires. This is not the place to enter into a minute analysis of the subject, but if any one will try to find out the reason why the relish of food is not enjoyed when attention is directed elsewhere, he will not be long in perceiving that an all-absorbing interest in the object of attention at the time and the want of attentiveness towards the food actually on the tongue prevent the relishparticles from reaching and affecting the soul. This is tantamount to saying that there is an influx of relish-particles from the food in the mouth to the soul and that the latter is affected by them. This influx is brought about by attention and is prevented by the mind being deeply interested in something else at the time. But interest is merely another word for desire, because our interests are mainly determined by our desires. Hence the rule that the fusion between spirit and matter takes place in consequence of desire. The destruction of desire, then, is the means to the salvation of the soul. It is for this reason that every rational religion enjoins the practising of renunciation on its followers.
So long as the soul remains in association or combination with matter, it exists in an impure condition and cannot attain to the status and perfection of divinity. It is also subject to repeated births and deaths, i.e., transmigration, in that condition. The idea is that the somatic death does not signify a complete separation between spirit and