ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 462

gratitude and responsibility. All living beings are created equal especially with respect to their soul that is capable of reaching liberation - mok a.
3.0 Theory of Karma Jainism defines cause of disease or suffering to be past or present action (Karma). There are eight different types of karmas described.
1. Perception obscuring Karma 2. Knowledge obscuring Karma 3. Deluding Karma 4. Obstructing Karma 5. Age determining Karma 6. Pain and pleasure producing Karma 7. Status determining Karma 8. Body determining Karma
Karmas are bound with the soul, like the files stored in the computer, which are downloaded for writing the text of each and every act of ones mind, speech and body in the present life and each new life.
3.1 Concept of Existence of Soul and Belief of Reincarnation Jainism believes in the concept of existence of soul as the center of each living being. This soul is polluted with karmic particles from eternity and that this soul will continue to occupy a new body upon death of the present body till it is completely freed of these karmic particles and attains liberation - mok a. Therefore in Jainism the importance of body & its health is temporary.
3.3 Concept of Destiny (krambaddha pary ya) and Co-factors (five samav ya): Destiny is described in Jainism very differently then commonly expected definition. In Jaina concept one is destined to pain, pleasure, disease, disability, death and so on according to previous and present karmas and their fruitions. This destiny is in one's own control as one's deeds are as per one's free will. Therefore indirectly one can control his/her disease & disability. For any act or process to be completed following co-factors will come in to play:
One's own efforts (puru rtha) Proper time (k la) Ability of one's own soul (up d na) Destiny (niyati) Association of a catalyst (nimitta)
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4.0 Modern Ethical Issues The modern day life style, changing paradigms of pleasure has given rise to many issues. Some of these shall be discussed below with Jain view.
4.1 Ethics of Contraception and Population Control Jainism prescribes vow of limited celibacy for householders and complete celibacy for monks and nuns. For householders gth & 14th day of every fortnight (4 days a month), complete celibacy is recommended. Householders are also supposed to observe complete celibacy on Jaina festivals like Mah vra Jayanti, Mah vra Nirvana Day, and Paryu ana Days. Concept is to teach control of pleasure of senses in order to decrease influx of avoidable karmas.
Secondly each sperm is considered to have life and is capable to produce life. Therefore unnecessary killing of sperms should be considered violence, and therefore limited celibacy not only avoids killing of sperms but also becomes a means of contraception. Similar to rhythm method, contraception as such can be said to be generally acceptable to Jainas not only because of violence towards sperm, but Jainas believe that more the number of children more the attachment and aversions resulting in influx of karmas and related consequences. Therefore population control is indirectly prescribed
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STUDY NOTES version 4.0