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06 - NINE TATTVAS AND KARMA PHILOSOPHY
57 Practical Ways of Samvar Jain literature defines 57 practical ways, by which one can stop the attachment of karma. These ways are described mainly for monks and nuns, but it is strongly recommended to be practiced by Shrävaks and Shrävikäs as much as possible. We have described these 57 ways of Samvar in a separate chapter.
Nirjarä (Removal of Old Karma) The process which removes the previously accumulated karma is called Nirjarä. This happens naturally when karma produce their result at the time of their maturity. This is known as Akäm Nirjarä. However, at that time, a person reacts to the situation that was created by karma and hence, he acquires new karma. So, under normal circumstances a person will not be able to get rid of his/her karma because at every moment he/she removes some old karma and acquires some new karma.
Jainism explains that on a path of spiritual progress a person should remove the previously acquired karma before their maturity. This type of Nirjarä is called Sakäm Nirjarä. This is achieved by the observance of rigorous penance and austerities known as Tapa. There are twelve types of Tapas defined in the Jain literature. They are divided into two groups; External Austerities (Bähya Tapa) and Internal Austerities (Abhyantar Tapa).
External austerities help to discipline the human body and mind to control and minimize passions and desires. Internal austerities help to purify the soul. The external austerities are essential to help prepare the human body and mind. Additionally, the internal austerities will raise the person's spirituality and remove the past karma before they mature. The internal austerities are true austerities because they exhaust the attached karma before they produce the resultant effects of good or bad and thus, purify the soul.
Moksha (Stage of Total Liberation from Karma) A person who has destroyed all the four Ghäti karmas by doing meditation and Kayotsarga is known as an omniscient or Kevali.
JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
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