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

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

Page 77

PHILOSOPHY
B10 - Punya and Pap Karma
Around us we see and hear that many people hunt or fish, and that they eat meat, chicken, fish, eggs, etc. Some meat eaters argue that they do not actually kill animals or they say these creatures were created for our food. Therefore, eating meat or other animal foods would not affect them. They do not realize that by eating meat or other animal foods they are directly or indirectly partaking in killing animals, birds, fish, etc., The more they eat, the more killing there will be. They do not realize that their direct as well as indirect actions bring Päp or Punya. Unfortunately, because most Päps do not show their results immediately, the people do not care about the consequences. We also hear about riots in, which people plunder, hit, and kill others and set fire to shops, homes, and buildings. By doing so, they put a lot of people through suffering. These people while doing such heinous activities may think that they are getting even; however, they fail to realize that by causing suffering to others they themselves will have to suffer the consequences of their evil acts at some point, in this life, or future lives. Consequently, our actions should not disturb the livelihood of other living beings, hurt or kill them in any way, directly or indirectly. By providing comfort and security to others, we gain Punya. Punya brings happiness during this life or following lives. On the other hand, if we cause suffering or unhappiness to others, we acquire Päp. Päp brings unhappiness in this life or in future lives. Let us understand from the following story how we accumulate the Punya and the Päp. Punya is a meritorious deed done with a feeling of self-satisfaction and accomplishment (in other words with ego). However, the same deed done without the feeling of accomplishment and attachment (without ego) is not Punya, such action or deed is considered the true nature of a person (Shuddha Bhäva). Hence, Punya activity is considered Upädeya (desirable) in the beginning stages of spiritual development to progress towards liberation (for laymen). For those who are advanced aspirants of liberation it is considered Heya (non-desirable), because such aspirants should not have feelings of accomplishment and attachment to even meritorious deeds. A spiritually advanced person's activities or deeds are always meritorious without feelings of attachment to the activities. No karma can attach to a person if his/her action is done without any attachments or feeling of accomplishments. Some Jain scholars preach that Good Karma hinders the purity and freedom of soul. Punya Karma is like handcuffs made of gold, causing the soul to wander in the cycle of birth and death. The fruits of good Karma have to be borne, indicating that one should even give up meritorious deeds. The fact is that a human being cannot remain without action unless he has reached the 14th stage of Gunasthänak (Ayogi Kevali). Even the Tirthankar who is at the 13th stage of Gunasthäna does not remain without action (Yoga exists). In addition, the actions of any person are viewed as either good or bad. However, the Karma philosophy teaches us that duringmeritorious action one should remain detached from the results of the action such as accomplishment, reward, fame, etc., or in other words, perform these actions with equanimity. The detachment will not cause any new Punya Karma. For example, doing charity work and becoming detached to the praise that comes with it is the way to avoid accumulating additional Punya Karma. Hence, the true message of Jain Karma philosophy is that during our entire lives, we should not miss any opportunities to do commendable deeds but we should try to remain detached from the result, or any desired expectations.
Ways of Acquiring Punya
There are nine ways mentioned in Stänänga Sutra (a Jain Agam) that result in Punya. Anna Punya
Offering of innocent, non-sentient, pure and vegetarian foods Pän Punya
Offering of non-sentient and pure water Layan Punya
Offering shelter Shayan Punya Offering bed Vastra Punya Offering clothes Mana Punya
Creating good thoughts and ideas
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 77 of 398