$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

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Vedaniya Karma Näm Karma
Gotra Karma
Äyushya Karma
These four karma relate to the physical body of the soul but do not affect the true nature of the soul, therefore, they are called Aghäti karma.
Eight Attributes of Siddha
Anant-jnän
Anant-darshan
Anant-chäritra
Anant-virya
feeling pertaining Karma body determining Karma
status determining Karma
life span determining Karma
Avyäbädha-sukha
Akshaya-Sthiti
Arupitva Aguru-Laghutva
Infinite knowledge
Infinite perception
Perfect conduct
Infinite energy
Uninterrupted happiness or bliss (no human body)
Immortality (no human body)
Formlessness (no human body) Equal with all other Siddhas
The liberated souls stay permanently (Akshaya-Sthiti) at the top of the universe which is called Moksha which is located just above Siddha-Shilä. They have attained the highest spiritual state, which is pure consciousness. All their Karmas have been eradicated and since they do not have any Kashaya and yoga, therefore they do not accumulate any new Karma, thus freeing themselves forever from the cycles of birth, life, and death.
Hence all liberated souls become knower and observer but not the doer. They have no desires and are completely detached from any sense of craving or aversion (Anant-chäritra, Vitarägatva). Despite the fact that all Siddhas retain a unique identity, they are equal (Aguru-Laghutva) in qualities and formlessness (Arupitva).
In summary Siddhas have attained the highest spiritual state by eradicating all eight karma while Arihantas have eradicated only four karma. Yet in Namaskär Mangal sutra, we pray to Arihant (Tirthankar) first and then we pray to Siddha because Arihantas devote their lives to preaching and guiding worldly souls to the path of liberation after attaining Keval-Jnän. Without his preaching, we could not have known Siddhas.
Ächärya
The teachings of Bhagawan Mahavir, the last Tirthankar, are carried on by the Ächäryas. They are our spiritual leaders. The responsibility of spiritual (not social or economic) welfare of the entire Jain community rests upon of the Ächäryas. Before reaching this state, one has to study in depth and achieve mastery of the Jain scriptures (Ägams). In addition to acquiring a high level of spiritual excellence, they also lead the congregation of monks, nuns and laypeople. They have the knowledge of various languages and other philosophies and religions of the world. They possess the following 36 qualities: Thirty Six Attributes of Acharya
Thirty Six Attributes - Shvetämbar Tradition Control over Five-sense Organs:
Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight, Hearing
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