ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 03

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

Page 37

SCHOOL
TIONAL
OF
CAN STUDIES
SELF STUDY IS THE SUPREME AUSTERITY,
स्वाध्याय परमं तपः
2.6.2. Lesya and Rebirth
Lesya is considered to relate also to the next birth, since the type of lesya at the time of death is an important determinant of the new life-form (plant, animal, human, hellish or celestial) and is supposed to persist in the reborn. Celestial-beings, Humans, Animals & Plants (Tiryanca) can have any of the 6 lesyās, whereas the Hellish-beings have only the Black leśya. Auspicious lesya associated with pious feelings (subha-bhāva) will lead to rebirth as a human or a celestial being, while inauspicious lesya associated with negative feelings (aśubha-bhāva) result in rebirth in a Tiryanca-gati or as a hellish being. A detailed description of the rules is provided in Gommaṭasara (Jivakända) (Gāthā 518-529). Spiritually evolved beings (Ayoga-keval-In 14th Gunasthāna stage) and liberated souls (Siddha-jiva) are without lesya (Alesi).
3. Modification of Behavior through Transmutation of Lesya: it's Relevance Today Some of the major challenges threatening human welfare today (for example: unsustainable economic disparity, deceit and fraud; increasing violent crimes and terrorism; environmental pollution and global warming) are outcomes of the highly consumptive and hedonistic lifestyles supported by egoistic attitudes resulting in unrestrained violent behaviors. These problems can be solved only by appropriate understanding and modifications of the fundamental psycho-physiological traits underlying the individual and collective human. behaviors. The concept of lesya as an important agent linking the psychical domain with the physical body and its activities is of great relevance in this context.
Lesya can be transformed by changing the karma dynamics. Alterations in (a) the dynamic configurations of the karmas; (b) the induced complex of passions and emotions (kaṣāya); (c) stoppage of the influx of karmic matter (āśrava) through self-restraint (samyama) and (d) destruction of the existing karmic bondage (nirjara) through the practice of austerities (tapasyās) leads to the weakening of the karmic envelope and purification of psychical states.
Table 1 indicates that kaṣāya intensities are directly related to the type of lesya, the black lesī have the highest intensities while the white lesī have the lowest. Reduction in the intensities of the kaṣaya would, therefore, result in the conversion of inauspicious to auspicious lesyās. The actual spiritual transformation commences with the conversion of Kapota to Tejasa i.e. grey to red. The index of Tejasa-lesya is bright red color of sunrise. With the above conversion, there is a remarkable drop in animal instincts, carnal desires and
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STUDY NOTES version 5.0