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

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

Page 72

PHILOSOPHY
B08 - Theory of Karma and Reincarnation
(Shätä or Ashätä) circumstances or experiences that exist through the channel of a physical body, but he does not interpret it as joy or sorrow because he does not have Mohaniya Karma. He remains in a blissful state all the time under all circumstances. In summary, Vedaniya karma being Aghäti karma can only produce favorable or unfavorable circumstances at the physical level, create environmental feelings of pain and pleasure through physical channels and indirectly make the soul feel joyous and sorrowful or in agony via Mohaniya karma. This way this karma covers the undisturbed blissful nature of the soul. However, without the existence of Mohaniya Karma one cannot feel happiness/joy or unhappiness/sorrow. Hence, Vedaniya karma has no real impact on the soul which is at Vitaraga state (12th Gunasthänak spiritual stage). 2. Näm Karma (Body Determining) Karma: This Karma bondage determines the physique or the body that the soul will occupy. It has two main categories and up to one hundred and three subcategories. This karma decides one of the four main species for the soul, number of senses, bodily structure, bone structure, stature, complexion, voice, gait, skin type, popularity and so on. One becoming Tirthankar is also decided by this karma. Two Subtypes of Body Determining Karma: • Happy Physique (Shubha Näm) Karma
• Unhappy Physique (Ashubha Näm) Karma There are many sub-categories existing in Näm karma. In summary, Näm karma determines the quality and nature of a physical body a soul may possess such as: Destiny (Gati) - heavenly beings, human, hellish beings and tiryancha (animals and vegetation)
Birth species (Jäti) - Physique or characteristics of the body (Sharira) 3. Gotra (Status Determining) Karma: Status determining karma determines whether one gets respected, cultured and religiously oriented family or a family with low moral and social standing. This karma is not simply with mundane aspects of birth environment, but rather with whether that environment is more or less conducive to the pursuit of the spiritual life.
Two Subtypes of Status Determining Karma: High Status Determining (Uccha Gotra) Karma
High status determining (Uccha Gotra) Karma involves a high and respectful status in respect of
a) family, b) community, c) learning, d) power, e) profit, f) penance, g) looks and h) luxury. Low Status Determining (Nichcha Gotra) Karma
Low status determining (Nichcha Gotra) Karma results in the opposite equipment and
attainments like low and disrespectable family. 4. Ayushya (Life Span Determining) Karma: This karma determines our life span. Other than Äyushya karma, we constantly accumulate rest of the seven karma. Next life span is decided only once in each lifetime. The lifespan for the next life is determined when two thirds of our current life has passed and precisely at that moment what kind of activities we are doing with our speech, body and particularly with our mind. If we are involved in good deeds at that point in time, we will have a better next life. Since nobody knows exactly when this moment arrives in our life, we should be constantly involved in doing good deeds. If our next lifespan is not decided at the first two thirds of the current life then it is decided at two thirds of remaining life. If it is still not decided yet then again at the two thirds of remaining life and so on and so forth, or at the time of death. The life span may get shortened by natural calamities or accidents but it can never be prolonged. Age determining karma will not be acquired if the soul is going to be liberated in the current life.
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015