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8. AGE OF REASON
basis similar to the early ether concept in physics. Karmic particles are considered very similar to neurons that cause emotional reactions, imbalance in body and mind causing actions.
"Karmas are the derivatives of the karman particles. The Karman particles are made up of the nonliving matter (pudgals). They are scattered and floating all over the universe (Lok). They are very very fine particles and we are neither able to see them with our eyes or with the regular microscope. A cluster of such innumerable karman particles is called a karman vargana. The karman varganas is one of the eight kinds of pudgal varganas. The karman vargana has the most subtle particles. When the soul acts with a passion like aversion or attachment; or anger, greed, ego, or deceitfulness, it attracts these karman varganas to itself. When these karman varganas get attached to the soul, they are called karmas. Karmas are classified into eight categories depending upon their nature. The karmas can be good (punya) or bad (Pap). The good karmas are the result of good or pious activities while the bad karmas are the result of bad or sinful activities."
www.jainworld.com/education/juniors/junles18.htm
Jains believe that every thing has life and this also includes stones, sand, trees and every other living creatures including animals and man and even devas. Thus, there are infinite levels of life existence. Every soul continues to reincarnate depending on the karmic effect. The Jains believe in the eternity of the soul, and there are thought to be multitudes of souls or life/monads, which are all independent and eternal.
Thus, both Buddhism and Jainism were based on the basic assumption that the whole cosmos is based on rational laws to which everything is subject to. The first principle of both was the law of Karma, the Cause - Effect relationship. Like all scientific endeavors, the assumption of a supreme god or existence of gods was negated. Instead, gods themselves were under the law of karma just as every other being. Since the world really exists, and things change it naturally included the law of conservation of matter and spirits, which led to the principle of reincarnation - matter and energy change forms and takes up new relationships. This was a concept brought in by the Greeks into India. Both Jainism and Buddhism refused to acknowledge a being beyond the scientific realm.
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