Gandhi Before Gandhi

Author(s): Bipin Doshi, Priti Shah
Publisher: Jain Academy Educational Research Center Promotion Trust Mumbai

Page 93

A GANDHI BEFORE GANDHI
Karmas (Papa), Inflow of Karma (Ashra), bondage of Karma (Bandit), Stoppage of inflow of Karmas (Samar), removal of Karmas (Nirjara) and a state without Karma (Moksha). Details of these help one to have the desired spiritual progress. The vital focus of spiritual growth is detachment from worldly desires and controlling the inner enemies called passions (Anger, Ego, Deceit and Greed).
Doctrines of rebirth or transmigration of souls and Doctrine of Karma
This brings us to doctrines of rebirth, transmigration, metempsychosis, reincarnation, etc. as they are variously known. First take incarnation, which means literally becoming flesh and really speaking that which is matter is always matter, and that which is spirit is always spirit or soul. The spirit does not become flesh in reincarnation, but if it means simply the life in flesh for a short time, then there is reincarnation. Reincarnation means also to be born in some state again and again. Metempsychosis means in the Greek only change; that the animal itself, body and soul, everything together, is changed into the human being and the human being with its body and soul, is changed into some other being, and that is altogether changed into some other thing and so on. That is the idea of metempsychosis. Transmigration of souls is, especially the idea of the
Christians, the idea of the human soul going into the animal body as if this were a necessity. But that is not the real idea of Jains; the real idea of Jains is simply going from one place to another or, from one body to another, but not necessarily going from the human body to the animal body, but simply traveling. Jains idea of rebirth is clear that is, the soul is born in some other
living being right from one sense being to five sense beings, and rebirth does not imply the same conditions applying to the human birth. These are conditions to be observed by beings whose forces will take them to some other planet, and we say that there is another methods of birth there, There is no necessity for gestation and fecundation or combination of male and female factor.
The companion doctrine of transmigration is the Doctrine of Karma. The Sanskrit word 'Karma' means action. "With what measure you meet it shall be measured to you again," and "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also