$JES 401 Jain Philosophy and Practice 2 Level 4 Book

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

Page 79

code with vigor and enthusiasm. The verse from the Panchächär Sutra, quoted at the top of this chapter, states that the spiritual aspirant needs to practice the code vigorously and without limiting or restraining his energy and capability.
This leads us to an important but possibly controversial issue. It is sometimes contended that Jainism being Karma oriented, believes in the inexorable law of Karma; living beings get different types of situations as a result of their Karma and there is no escape for them but to bear the consequences of their Karmas. Jainism is therefore viewed as endorsing inactivity and discouraging energetic effort. How can we reconcile that view with the above-mentioned description of the Viryächär? This question is closely associated with the controversy between Prärabdha and Purushärtha or destiny vs. endeavor. Let us look at the two in details:
Prärabdha or destiny is usually seen as resulting from Karma, while Purushärtha or determination (endeavor) is viewed as the effort to overcome such destiny. Thus, Prärabdha and Purushärtha apparently appear to be contradicting each other. Prärabdha denotes the consequence of our earlier Karma, while Purushärtha represents our determination at the present moment. While describing the nature of Karma, Jainism does emphasize that undertaking the right kind of Purushärtha can modify or eliminate the impact of past karma. Thus, our present free will or determination is considered to have an edge over the fruits of our past Karma.
Viryächär asks us to undertake intensive determination for overcoming the impact of Karma acquired earlier. The implication of the spiritual code thus shows the hollowness of the contention that we are helpless victims of earlier Karmas. Thus Viryächär indicates that all aspects of the spiritual code should be observed with utmost vigor and exercising such vigor is called the real Purushärtha.
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