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THE DOCTRINE OF KARMA
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The causes of nāma-karma which are responsible for the different kinds of bodies (sarira-nāma-karma) have been explained by Umāsvāmi. According to him crooked activities and deception cause the influx of inauspicious physique-making Karmas. Crookedness is vakratā meaning departure from the straightforward ways, activities which are perverse and actuated by want of rectitude. Deceiving others is another form of crookedness. Both create mental vibrations of questionable character and if activities succeed, they cause misery and suffering to others.
are unwholesome activities and do cause inauspicious physique-making Karmas. The greater the crookedness or deception, the more intense is the nature of the Karma.
The opposite of these, viz., straightforward activity, honesty and candour cause the influx of auspicious body-making Karmas.21 Those who are straightforward in their thoughts and speech attract the auspicious Karmas. Persons of honesty and integrity have respect for the virtuous. They honour the pious and the holy saints. Such persons are aware of the inisery of worldly life and hence they are careful in thought and action.
Besides referring to the causes of auspicious physique-inaking Karmas, there is a detailed enumeration of the thoughts and · actions which lead to influx of Tirthankara-Nāma-Karma which earns a victory over the three worlds. Again according to Umāsvāmi, the influx of Tirthankara-Nāma-Karma rises from the sixteen observances, viz., purity of right faith,endowed with reverence, observance of vows and supplementary vows without any kind of transgressions, ceaseless pursuit of knowledge, constant fear of the cycle of existence, giving charity, practising austerities, in accordance with one's own capacity, removal of hindrances affecting or likely to affect the equanimity of the ascetics, serving the meritorious by warding off evil or suffering, devotion to the Omniscient Lords, Chief preceptors, preceptors and the scriptures, practice of the six essential daily duties, propagation of the teachings of the Omniscient, and affection for one's bretheren.22
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