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The Role of the idea of Action (Kriyavada) in Jaina Philosophy
Dr. G. C. Pande University of Rajasthan Jaipur.
THE earliest Jaina texts like the Avara. The acceptance of the reality and
inga, Uttarajjhayana, and Suyagada crucial significance of 'action' has faringa are marked by a strong emphasis reaching philosophical implications. on the notion of Kriya or willed action. Real action implies an acting person That man has freedom or will Purusa- who changes and yet persists and a kara, Visya) sufficeint for working out similar mutable but ordered world of his salvation was claimed almost as a other persons and things. The being distinctive feature of Jaina faith and of things given in experience must be contrasted with rival doctrines espe- modifiable and hence imperfect and the cially of the Ajivakas who presented an nature of the soul moreover perfectible. extreme contrast. This dominant moral Multiplicity and change must be real attitude continued as a persistent back- by the side of identity and persistence. ground in which alone some of the Moreover, to make purposive action characteristic features of later, systema- possible tentative and fragmentary tic Jaina philosophy can best be under knowledge, which is all we usually stood
have in the contexts of practical Kriya has to be distinguished from
urgency, must be held to have a defiKarman. Kriya has its ultimate source
nite though limited reliability and must in the inherent and inalienable power
be regarded as revealing real though of the soul (Jiva). Karmiin, on the other part
partial aspects of things. hand represents a subtle physical po- The Jainas accepted and formulated wer which hinders, envelops and binds these iniplications in the course of their the soul. One may describe Kriya as the philosophization. Thus as early as the activity of the soul, Karman as its passi- Ayaramga the Nirgrantha is declared to vity. Moral and spiritual effort consists be a believer in the Soul, the World and in repelling (Samvaru) and expungingWill (Agravai, loyavai, Kirigavai). The (Nirjara) the influence of matter by the classic definition of reality "Utpadaforce of will. The heroic affirmation of vyagu-dhrouvya suktam sat" follows in the freedom of the soul over the impri- this same direction, and the logical soning mould and world of matter is doctrines of anekanta, naya and Syadvada Tapas and it makes one ultimately represent its culminating refinement. Victor Gjina), Worthy (Arhant), and Self- Jaina logic has often been misundersufficient (Kevalin).
stood by its critics as implying a denial
Jain Education International
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| SR No. | 014041 |
| Book Title | Mahavira Jayanti Smarika 1964 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Chainsukhdas Nyayatirth |
| Publisher | Rajasthan Jain Sabha Jaipur |
| Publication Year | 1964 |
| Total Pages | 214 |
| Language | English, Hindi |
| Classification | Seminar & Articles |
| File Size | 15 MB |