ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 152

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called karma or psychic activities affect subtle matter particles and they get attracted towards the space points of the soul and then form unison with them. However it is to be noted that all matter particles attracted towards the soul are not bounded with it. Bonding of these particles depends on the state of the soul at that time i.e. state of attachment, aversion and passions affecting it at that time. If the soul is free of these impurities (i.e. is in a state of vītaraga or detachment) the attracted particles fall of like dust particles from a shining and polished surface. These subtle particles when bound with soul are called matter or dravya karma and they are concrete and have taste, touch, odour etc. As the empirical soul keeps on performing psychic activities, these material karmas keep on getting bonded with the soul depending on the state of the soul at that time.
That the soul, pure in itself, is polluted through its actions and, in order to regain its natural state, must be freed from its stain has been adopted by the Jains in the real sense of the word, and has been worked up into an original system, which even now is the foundation of the belief of over five million people.
The matter that entered into union with soul separates itself into a greater number of particles, the karma-prakrtis with varying effects. Their number and character are conditional upon the conduct of soul; if it is good, the jīva assimilates good karma species, he binds good karmas, when bad, he binds bad karma. The karma may stay latent for a long time but may appear after a long time or quickly when the right moment arises. The duration and intensity of the effect of karma depends upon the state of mind (adhyavasāya) at the moment of assimilation. When its efficacy expires it becomes extinguished.
Matter eternally infects the soul; soul's union with the karma has no beginning and, at every moment it is gathering new matter and in natural course of things has no ending. The deliverance of soul from the karman is, therefore, only possible through a series of special processes by the jīva to first eliminate the absorption of new karman and to eliminate the karma already bound with it.
This doctrine of karma has been remarkably described by Jains in a systematic manner. Texts like Satkhandāgama, Pañcasangraha, Karamgranthas, Gomattasāra etc give detailed explanations of this doctrine. Salient feature of Jain karma doctrine can thus be listed as follows:
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