Jainism a Theistic Philosophy

SR No.: 006918
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Krishna A Gosavi
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2012
Total Pages: 358
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

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JAINISM: A THEISTIC PHILOSOPHY "GOD IN JAINISM"
V. (v) Karman: Freedom of Will vs. Necessity; Responsibility Destiny is incomprehensible. Man is, therefore free just to make efforts. If we dig the ground, we shall get water, provided it is there. Similarly, if the good fortune is in store for man, it is manifested or brought about through efforts only. Human efforts accompanied with pure light or right knowledge destroys man's present miserable state and opens up the door of happiness, as also strongly counters the future onslaughts of inauspicious karmas. That is to say, under the pretext of karma theory, man should not be lazy, depressed and down cast, but should become industrious and brave, taking into account the supreme importance of spiritual power. If it is not possible for him to remove or allay suffering already befallen on him and hence he has no alternative but to experience it, then, instead of experiencing it with cowardliness and as a result binding new inauspicious karmas, he should experience with praiseworthy equanimity and peace, which evinces true understanding and heroic spirit; and at that time karma theory gives him required strength to keep the mind cool, composed and un-agitated. The karma theory points out that inevitable karma never allows man to escape from the consequences of past actions; it compels him to experience its fruits completely. Even great men could not escape the consequences of their karmas.
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"Excessive accumulation of wealth is a sin; not only that, but it deprives man of his peace of mind."
Each individual is responsible for his or her own action and so is the whole society is responsible for its joint, corporate or collective actions. So the entire society-all its members and all future generations have to experience fruits of the joint actions, which the society as a whole might have performed. The people of India had to experience hardships humiliation of dependence and slavery to
"Muni Shri Nyāyavijayaji, “Jaina Philosophy and Religion", P-272