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

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

Page 71

PHILOSOPHY
B08 - Theory of Karma and Reincarnation
In a complete lack of true faith or in a positive adherence to a false faith,
Swinging between the two and,
Not allowing highest degree of Inclination towards true faith this Karma is so powerful that it brings in its train all other causes of Bondage of soul, like undisciplined life, negligence, and passion. As such it completely overpowers and misleads the soul and not only does it defile Right faith but also obstructs acquisition of Right knowledge and Right conduct.
Chäritra Mohaniya (Conduct Deluding) Karma
Conduct Deluding Karma are those, which obstruct good and wholesome conduct. This karma partially covers or obscures the soul's original nature of Right Conduct Due to this karma a person possesses many weaknesses such as lack of self-restraint, spiritual laziness, and various vices (known as Kashäya) such as anger, ego, deceit, and greed. Hence, one experiences pleasure and pain. After the attainment of Samyaktva, a person puts an effort to gradually diminish his weaknesses and moves towards spiritual progress and ultimately by removing all Chäritra Mohaniya karma he/she attains passionless or Vitaräga state also known as perfect happiness or perfect conduct (12th Gunasthänak spiritual stage).
They are further subdivided into twenty five categories, sixteen of Passion Deluding (Kashaya Mohaniya) and nine of Pseudo passion (Deluding Nokashaya Mohaniya) Karma.
Of all the karmas, Deluding Karma is the most dangerous and the most difficult to overcome. Once this karma is destroyed, salvation or liberation is assured.
Aghäti Karmas (Non-destructive Karmas)
Aghäti karmas are non-destructive to the qualities of the soul but are responsible for the creation of physical body, life span, physical mind, and social environment. It only affects the body in which the soul resides.
Non-destructive to Soul's Virtues or Qualities:
• Vedaniya Karma (Feeling Pertaining Karma)
• Näm Karma (Body and Physique Determining Karma)
• Gotra Karma (Status Determining Karma)
Äyushya Karma (Life Span Determining Karma)
1. Vedaniya (Feeling Pertaining) Karma:
It obscures the blissful nature of the soul, and as a result, we have ever-changing experiences of happiness and unhappiness through our sense organs and mind. Thus, Vedaniya karma is responsible for the creation of a favorable or unfavorable environment or situation mainly at a physical level such as sickness, terminal illness, hunger, fatigue, accident or a good sound health and positive physical (body and sensual) capability. This way it creates the environmental feeling of pain (Ashätä) or pleasure (Shätä). This feeling is channeled through the physical level only.
Two Subtypes of Feeling Pertaining Karma:
• Pain producing (Ashätä Vedaniya) Karma
Pleasure producing (Shätä Vedaniya) Karma
This physical level feeling activates the Mohaniya Karma to produce happiness (Sukha) and agony (Dukha) at the mental level (Soul's Paryaya). The happiness and agony are experienced by the soul because the soul is at Mithyätva and Kashäya stage. Hence, its interpretation of the situation (knowledge and experience wise) is biased and illusive. This way the Vedaniya Karma indirectly (Nimitta) obscures the blissful nature of the soul via Mohaniya karma.
A Kevali possesses Vedaniya karma but not Mohaniya karma. He also possesses infinite knowledge (Keval-jnän). Therefore, he remains a silent observer and aware of the favorable or unfavorable
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
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