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

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

Page 86

PHILOSOPHY
B10 - Punya and Pap Karma
Thus, we should have faith in the right God, the right Guru, and the right religion if we want to progress in our spiritual journey. From the discussion we realize that any of these 18 types of sinful activities are harmful. As long as we are living, we are bound to undertake some of these activities, but we should be careful and replace the sinful activities with good activities to minimize harm to our soul. If we have to get involved in sinful activity due to unavoidable circumstances, we should do it with regret and repent for doing such acts and never enjoy doing them. How one can be free from Päp Gautam Swami asked Mahävir Swami, "Bhante! How can one be free from Päp?" Mahävir Swami replied, "Gautam! There are three ways to get free from Päp: • Knowledge of previous lives • Knowledge of the mystery behind the cycle of birth and death
• Knowledge of what is conscious mind (Chitta) and how to purify it." Knowledge of Previous Lives: If one can recollect one's previous lives, including all the pain and pleasures one will automatically take the path of Punya and avoid the path of Päp. The person with the knowledge of previous life understands the mystery behind attaining the human life, including the spiritual efforts required to attain human life. Knowledge of previous lives is called "Jäti-smaran Jnän". Knowledge of the Mystery behind the Cycle of Birth and Death: Knowledge of causes of the cycle of birth and death, and fact that one is reborn in a good or a bad state because of his own good or bad karmas. He realizes that, "My Karma is the reason why I am trapped in the cycle of birth and death." In other words, he understands that one's actions lead to peaks and valleys of happiness and dissatisfaction in one's future. This realization makes one think to stop undesirable activities and makes him conscious of the importance of human life. Knowing the Causes that Impure the Conscious Mind (Chitta): Knowledge of why conscious mind has become impure and how one can purify it, then one will automatically begin to free oneself from sinful activities. Unnecessary and sinful activities stain the
Chitta, while adherence to the true religion purifies it. 04 Four Fold Combinations of Punya and Päp Päp and Punya are to be viewed in relative terms, and they depend upon one's mental attitude in a given situation. Both Punya and Päp karma are manifested in the future in ways that the soul perceives as pleasure/ reward and pain/ punishment respectively. Jain literature defines the four fold combination of our reflection or tendency known as Anubandh while we go through the fruits of Punya and Päp. If our tendency is towards liberation and virtues, then it creates pious reflection (Punya-Anubandh). If our tendency is towards the worldly pleasures and non-virtues then it generates sinful reflection (PapaAnubandh) Punyänubandhi Punya
All auspicious karma gives man means of happiness upon their fruition. He acquires wealth and other comforts because of the fruition of auspicious karma. However, in spite of that, some auspicious karma produces fruit that will not wean one away from cherishing right inclination or faith and performing good actions. He takes an active effort in performing righteous activities. He does not indulge in sensory pleasures. He spends his wealth on religious and philanthropic activities. He is humble and does not hurt the feelings of others. He lives a virtuous life. Thus, these auspicious karma are related to auspicious, virtuous, and good activities, which again leads to influx and the bondage of the auspicious karma. In this way, the auspicious karma of this type make our futures happy, righteous, and auspicious. The term 'Punyänubandhi Punya' means that auspicious karma which is related to religious practice and good activities, leading to good and auspicious Karma in the
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Compendium of Jainism - 2015