ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 04

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

Page 506

branches, the red leshi to pluck all the fruits, the yellow leshi to pluck only the ripe fruits and the person with the white leshya to collect only the ripe fruits which have fallen to the ground.
Individuals with the black leshya are the most destructive and those with the white leshya the least. The black, blue and gray leshyas are inauspicious and are associated with intense cruel, wicked, revengeful, angry and violent behavior lacking in self-control, while red, yellow and white are auspicious and promote humane, forgiving, equanimous and helpful attitude and non-violent behavior free from evil deeds
2.6. Leshya and Spiritual Evolution
It is believed that spiritual development signifies progress of the living-being (Sansarik Jeeva ) towards the highest goal of achieving Moksha, a state characterized by complete stoppage of the karmic-influx, elimination of all the existing karmic-bondage and perfect expression of all the attributes of the pure consciousness. In this pure state, the soul (Siddha-Jeeva) exists in eternal bliss and omniscience, free from the cycle of death and rebirth.
2.6.1. Behavioral and Spiritual Correlates of Leshya
The colors of lehsya can be related to the spiritual development from the impure to the pure state of consciousness. The path of purification of the soul leads from inauspicious leshyas (black, blue and gray) through auspicious leshyas (red, yellow, white) to a stage without Leshya (Aleshi, where there is no Kashaya and Karmic-influx does not occur), thus achieving the pure state of consciousness (Ayoga Kevali).
Stages of spiritual development in Jain system of thought are generally characterized on the basis of Gunsthanas. The journey of the soul from the impure to the pure state is based on Karma-Dynamics and described in 14 stages termed Gunsthanas. The Gunasthäna, varies from moment to moment depending on the activation (Uday), influx (Ashrav), dissolution and suppression (Nirjara) of Karma. The activities of the Karmicbody in turn are influenced by leshya or the stream of bhava (reflecting the type and intensity of kashaya and the psycho-physical activities).
The transition from one Gunasthäna to another is not linear and proceeds according to certain logical rules. The lowest stage, called Mithya-Drishti, prevails due to the activation of Darshana-Mohiniya-karma (Deludingkarma), and is characterized by false perception and perverse attitude about knowing the truth and reality. The soul achieves the highest state of purity and omniscience in the 14h Gunasthäna called the Ayoga Kevali Gunasthäna. Table 1 depicts the correlations between leshya, Kashaya, bhava, gunsthanas, dhyan and karma dynamics.
It can be seen from Table 1 that the crucial milestone in this long journey from ignorance to omniscience occurs at the transition from gray to red leshya where the moderate intensities of Kashaya enable the flow of Upashamic bhava (U); the raudra bhava is absent and practice of dharma dhyan enables the dissolution of karma to exceed the influx, thus reducing the karmic body. The behavioral disposition of the red leshi is upright and compassionate; the spiritual evolution reaching upto the 7" gunsthana. The path for further spiritual progress can now be continued with the transformation to yellow and white leshya. The further weakening of the kashaya intensities and gradual annihilation of the karmic-body permit the natural attributes of the soul to be expressed more and more in the behavioral dispositions characterized by right knowledge and righteous conduct, forgiveness, equanimity and non-violence.
Table 1: Behavioral and Spiritual Correlates of Leshya
Bhava
Dhyan
Gunsthanas
Leshya Color Black
Kashaya Intensity ++++++
Karma Dynamics I>>>D
Behavioral Characteristics Violent, cruel, passionate Greedy, lazy, deceitful
A,P
Arta, Raudra, Dharma Arta, Raudra, Dharma
Blue
+++++
A, P
I>> D
1
Page 496 of 556
STUDY NOTES version 4.0