YJA Convention 1996 07 San Francisco CA Second

SR No.: 527602
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Young Jains of America (YJA)
Publisher: Young Jains of America YJA USA
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 80
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, USA_Convention YJA, & USA
File Size: 5 MB

Page 9

These karmic particles interact with the sou" and are responsible for specific effects that follow. Every thought and action results in surrounding karma binding to the soul. Eventually the karmic particles that have been bound to a soul ripen and causes specific effects on that soul".
Cosmology
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SB/SBT TRADITION
The Cosmos
Jain scriptures intricately outline the universe with multiple heavens and hells, a middle region where all other life exists, and an abode for liberated souls. This middle region, the region which we inhabit, is further delineated as being analogous to an island with seven major regions where human or human-type of life exists and an enormous mountainous structure extending from the island. The base of this island touches the highest hell and the peak of the mountain touches the lowest heaven.
The region of this "island" which we live on is called Airavata. A similar living habitat is Bharata. Both are under a "time cycle" which will be discussed further below.
The intricate detail with which Jain scriptures describe the structure of the universe and the detail with which it delineates various habitations give it a strong sense of reliability for those who trust the words of omniscient saints.
Jain scriptures have information that modern astronomers are only beginning to discover. For example, Jain scriptures mention that our solar system once had two suns, a view that many modern astronomers are just beginning to prove". Much detailed information is given about our region of the universe and is matched by intricate detail about other region of the universe as well.
Time Cycle
Both the Airavata (the region we inhabit) and Bharata worlds in the universe go through an endless series of cycles, the other worlds inhabited by life are independent of this cycle. Divided into 12 sectors, the Jain time continuum outlines the magnitude of
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