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THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES
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a precise definition: “Obstruction or stoppage of influx is Saṁvara". 13 It is the harbinger of spiritual development that closes the entry for new Karmas.
Just as Āśrava is of two kinds, viz., Bhāvāśrava and Dravyāśrava, there are also corresponding kinds of samvara : bhāvasamvara and dravyasamvara. 14 Freedom from attachment and aversion stops the influx. Bhāvasamvara can be brought about by various means. Since the activities of the body, mind and speech as also the passions are the causes of the influx of Karmas, Saṁvara can be achieved only by controlling them. There are accordingly many varieties of Bhāva-samvara : vrata (vow), samiti (carefulness), gupti (restraint), dharma (observances), anuprekșa (reflection), parişahajaya (conquest over troubles) and căritra (right conduct).
Continuing the earlier simile, if the entry of water into a boat through a hole is to be stopped, the hole must be plugged. If the wind is blowing in through the window, the window must be closed. This is the common-sense remedy. The same principle applies to stoppage of influx of new Karmas. If the influx is to be stopped, the activities which cause it must be stopped. If the passions are the cause, they must be subdued. Many of the Karmas are due to wrong belief. When a person is in a state of of delusion or in the grip of a passion, he will not know what is good for the soul. He becomes deeply involved in attachments of the world and afflicted with miseries of various kinds.
This kind of involvement or bondage can be stopped by purifying the mind, body and speech which give rise to various activities leading to influx of Karmas. Similarly the passions must be subdued by right belief and self-restraint.
It therefore follows that the means or Samvara or stoppage have to be sought through the eradication of activities and conquest of passions that bring the influx of Karmas. The five vows or Vratas are : non-violence, truthfulness, abstinence from straling, celibacy and abstinence from too much accumulation of worldly objects. These five rules of conduct are called pañcasilas in Buddhistic
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