$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

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

Page 53

PHILOSOPHY
B06Nav Tattva Part I: Jiva, Ajiva, Punya, Päp, Äsrava
and the surgeon would attract the same type of Karma? This is not true. The burglar's activity is evidently sinful, while that of the surgeon is meritorious.
2) The story of Two Monks
The two monks named Suresh muni and Raman muni, who have taken a vow of celibacy including not to touch opposite sex person, were traveling from one place to another. On the way they come across a river that is flooded. On the bank of the river, there was a beautiful young girl intending to go across but she was scared of so much water. Realizing her anxiety, Suresh muni offers his hand and leads her into water. Watching this, Raman muni objected the action of Suresh muni, but Suresh muni ignored his objection and went ahead. The flow of the river got swifter causing the girl to drift. Suresh muni therefore holds her waist and leads her ahead. For Raman muni, this act of Suresh muni was beyond imagination and he severely reproached Suresh muni for his audacity.
Suresh muni again ignored his objection. Water gets deeper ahead. The girl did not know how to swim. Suresh muni therefore carried her on his back and swims across the river. This is too much for Raman muni who cursed Suresh muni for gross violation of the vow. Suresh muni did not respond in any way. He leaved the girl on the other bank and quietly proceeded with Raman muni. On the way, Raman muni rebuked him again and again for what he had done and warned him of the dire consequences when they confront Guru Mahäräj. Suresh muni maintained his silence while reproaches of his friend continue unabated. After listening for one hour, Suresh muni pointed out that he left the girl one hour back while Raman muni was still holding her in his head.
It is evident that in this example that Suresh muni had no intention other than helping a girl cross the river. While holding her hand or while carrying her on his back, he had no other thoughts. Therefore, he left her as soon as he reached the other bank. He even did not look at her beauty. For him, she was simply a person who was in need of help. He rendered it without any passionate thoughts throughout. Raman muni's attitude on the other hand was completely different. Though he did not even touch the girl, he was thrilled by the imaginary sensation of close contact of a beautiful girl. In his heart, he longed to have the feel of her touch. He did not actually do so simply because it was forbidden. In the spiritual sense he therefore, committed the sin of indulging in undesirable activity while Suresh muni earned the Punya of helping a person in need. Thus, Päp and Punya are to be viewed in relative terms and they depend upon one's mental attitude in a given situation.
Four Fold Combinations of Punya and Päp
This is briefly described here, for more details refer to Punya and Pap Chapter in Karma Philosophy. Päp and Punya are to be viewed in relative terms, and they depend upon one's mental attitude in a given situation. Jainism says that every one of us continually enjoys the fruits of Punya or suffers from Päp Karma. During our enjoyment or suffering due to manifestation of Punya and Päp, we reflect either positively or negatively based on our understanding of reality. This results in the following Four Fold Combinations of Punya & Päp
Punyanubandhi Punya:
This earning of new Punya Karma while enjoying the fruits of earlier ones is known in Jain terminology as Punyänubandhi Punya. In summary, while enjoying the fruits of virtuous Karmas one acquires further virtuous Karmas.
Päpänubandhi Punya:
While enjoying the fruits of Punya or virtuous Karmas, one may acquire Päp Karmas is called Päpänubandhi Punya. Very few people endeavor to earn Punyänubandhi Punya, because most of the people are infatuated by happiness and comforts. By virtue of infatuation they indulge in nonvirtuous activities. This type of action is known as Päpänubandhi Punya or virtuous Karmas leading to non-virtuous activities. Misery is thus destined for them in the end.
Punyänubandhi Päp
While suffering the consequences of Päp or non-virtuous Karmas, one may acquire Punya Karmas is called Punyänubandhi Päp. As a consequence of Päp Karmas, a person does undergo varying degrees of miseries. If however that person realizes that his miseries are the consequence of his
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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