________________
Samvara
An Introduction to Jain Philosophy
Samvara is the principle of self-control by which the influx of sins is checked or stopped. The category of samvara comprehends the whole sphere of right conduct. It can be accomplished by constant practice of restraining the mind, body and speech, by religious meditation, conquering of desire, forgiveness, tenderness, purity, truth, austerity, renunciation, un-attachment, chastity, abstention from evil action and avarice etc.
Nirjarä
173
Partial wearing off of karma-bondage is called nirjarā viz. nirjară consists in the wearing out of the accumulated effects of karma on the soul by the practice of austerities, and Mokṣa, which logically follows from nirjarā, signifies the final deliverance of the soul from the bondage of Karma. Just as when a tank is to be made waterless, the inflow of water into the tank is first to be stopped and then the water already accumulated in the tank is to be removed by strenuous effort, so also in removing the pudgala bondage of the soul, the accretion of further karma is to be prevented by samvara and then the karman already previously accumulated is to be worn off by nirjarā.
Mokşa
Jain Education International
Mokşa is the liberation of the soul after complete exhaustion or elimination of all karmas. Mokşa is the essential point in the teaching of Mahavira which is generally understood as emancipation. It really means the attainment of the highest state of sanctification by the avoidance of pain and miseries of worldly life. This state of the soul is the liberated or perfected state and this is nirvāņa. Perfect belief, perfect knowledge and perfect conduct-these three constitute the road to mokşa. The liberated soul does not expand to the extent of the universe, as there is no cause for it. The expansion or contraction of the soul is determined by the physique-making karma. Since there is no physique-making karma in the state of emancipation, there is neither expansion nor contraction in the case of the soul in liberation. All liberated soul is essentially equal.
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
