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THE NINE PADARTHAS OR FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS
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charity idols of Jinas, construction of temples, distribution of sacred books to the deserving, alms to the members of religious orders and to the laity.
Nine kinds of Punya are mentioned by Muni Sušila Kumār viz. food (giving of food), drink (giving of water to the thirsty), shelter, bedding, clothes, entertaining good thoughts, sweet speech, physical service to others and salutation.4 Special preference in giving charity, and rendering services is to be given to the Jaina ascetics and to the followers of the Jaina faith.
Fruits of Punya are of various kinds : birth in higher states of existence, birth in a respectable family, freedom from want, possession of all kinds of wealth, sound body with beauty and impressive personality, freedom from diseases of any kind and birth that ensures spiritual progress.
Pāpa or demerit is that which brings misery or unhappiness to oneself as a result of one's thought, speech or action. All sentient beings feel the pain of their sins. There are thirteen kinds of activity; sinning 1) for one's interest, 2) without personal interest, 3) by slaying, 4) through accident, 5) by an error of sight, 6) by lying 7) by taking what is not freely given, 8) by mere conceit, 9) through pride, 10) through bad treatment of one's friends, 11) through deceit, 12) through greed, and 13) actions referring to religious life.5 In addition to the afore
activities, thirst for hoarding and accumulating property, engaged in protecting what is acquired by greed, enmity and hatred towards others, sensuality and sexual craze, engaging in conflicts, quarrels and wars etc., blaming and scandalizing others, irritability and wrong belief etc., also attract inauspicious Karmas. Committing breach of any of the five vows, and acting under any of the passions result in sinful consequences. The duration of the inauspicious Karmas depends upon the intensity of the passions. It is the sins that obscure the qualities of the soul and produce deformity of mind and body in the next life even.
The first twelve kinds of activities are self-explanatory. The thirteenth kind of activity has reference to religious life. A
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