Jain Karma Philosophy Punya and Pap Karma

SR No.: 200000
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 5
Language: English
Classification: Article, Jaina_Education, & 0_Jaina_education
File Size: 42 KB

Page 4

Only Aghäti karma that are responsible for the physical environment of a living being are classified as the result of Punya karma or Pap karma.
• Punya Aghati Karma produce a human life, a healthy body, high social status, and a longer life span
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Papa Aghäti karma produce an unhealthy body, a shorter life span, low social status, poverty, birth in hell, or as an animal, insect, or in a vegetative state or similar categories.
In summary all Punya Karma are Aghäti karma while Pap karma belongs to both Ghäti and Aghäti karma.
Discussion on Ghäti, Aghäti, Punya and Pap karma
Jain philosophy categorizes worldly souls in to 14 levels of spiritual progress (Gunasthänas). Also it states that all worldly souls which are below 12th Gunasthanak (Vitarag state) are under the influence of Mohaniya karma meaning under Mithyätva and/or Kashäya.
Since we are under the influence of Mohaniya karma at every moment, we either acquire all 8 categories of Pap karma or 4 categories of Pap and 4 categories of Punya karma at every moment.
Under normal circumstances, the environment created by Päp karma are not conducive to the spiritual progress of a soul because it produces an unhealthy body, a shorter life span, low social status, poverty, birth in hell, or as insects, animals etc.
Only the environment created by Punya karma are conducive to attain a higher spiritual state because they can result in human birth, healthy body, spiritual education, a longer life span and
so on.
Without a human life and spiritual environment, one cannot progress spiritually and attain a Vitaräga state (a spiritual state beyond attachment and aversion) and hence Keval jnän (infinite knowledge).
Before a person reaches to Vitaräga state, the person is involved in virtuous activities (physical, verbal or mental) at every moment. These activities are performed with some attachments known as Karta Bhäv.
These meritorious activities attract virtuous karma, which are called Punya Karma. But these virtuous activities are performed with Karta Bhav, it also attracts some Mohaniya Karma. This Mohaniya Karma is hindrance to Vitarag State and Kevaljnän.
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Hence while doing virtuous activities, one should not have any attachment to virtuous activities. This way virtuous activities or Punya karma are not hindrance to attain Vitarag State and Kevaljnän
In summary, Punya Karma is acquired by meritorious or virtuous deeds and Päp Karma is acquired by non-virtuous act.
The manifestation of Päp Karma brings unhappiness, discomforts, poverty and an unhealthy body, Kashaya, and Mithyatva. These are both Ghati and Aghati karma.
Only Ghati Karma keep the soul in the material world (cycle of birth and death) for long time. After the attainment of Kevajnan, all Aghati Karma (Nam Karma, Gotra Karma, Ayushya Kama, and Vedniya Karma) keep the soul in Samsar for short duration which left over Ayushya Karma and no fall back occurs.