________________
SUTRAS
ATTRACTION TO KARMA
29
The mechanisms and conditions causing this apparent bond between karma and our consciousness are described in the next chapter. The present chapter explains - how actions, emotions and thoughts attract karma to our con
sciousness - how we - by our emotions and actions - determine strength, theme
and duration of this (temporary) attachment and - what types of actions and attitudes will cause renewed attachment between karma and our consciousness.
SUTRA 3 शभः पुण्यस्याशुभः पापस्य ॥ ३ ॥ Shubhah punyasyashubhah papasya (3) We experience two modes of karma: - positive karma (punya) - manifests as a subjectively agreeable
feeling of life (positive experiences) and ideally will further our inner growth. It is caused by activities we generally regard as positive ('good', 'virtuous'). - negative karma (paapa) - manifests as a subjectively disagreeable feeling of life (negative experiences) and obstructs our inner growth. It is caused by activities we generally regard as negative ('bad', 'evil'). (3)
In our present time we tend to question whether fundamental qualities like 'good' or 'bad'exist in the first place.
Though we generally regard violence, stealing, deceit, cruel words and envious, harmful thoughts etc. as fundamentally negative, our modern society is equally inclined to interpret actions based on positive intentions as 'good' and actions based on negative intentions as 'bad'.
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
